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'WWI spirits' dug up in Macedonia | 'WWI spirits' dug up in Macedonia |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A remote Macedonian mountain village is at the centre of a treasure hunt for bottles of what is thought to be vintage cognac from World War I. | A remote Macedonian mountain village is at the centre of a treasure hunt for bottles of what is thought to be vintage cognac from World War I. |
Farmers in Gradesnica have unearthed what they say are cases of spirits from trenches once used by French soldiers. | Farmers in Gradesnica have unearthed what they say are cases of spirits from trenches once used by French soldiers. |
Visitors from France have joined locals scouring the former battlefield in the hope of finding some of the liquor. | Visitors from France have joined locals scouring the former battlefield in the hope of finding some of the liquor. |
Valued at thousands of euros a bottle, it is said to have survived a German shell strike that killed many soldiers. | Valued at thousands of euros a bottle, it is said to have survived a German shell strike that killed many soldiers. |
The first case of 15 bottles was reportedly unearthed by villagers in the south of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia about 15 years ago. | The first case of 15 bottles was reportedly unearthed by villagers in the south of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia about 15 years ago. |
Several further batches, containing about 12 bottles each, are said to have been found in subsequent digs. | Several further batches, containing about 12 bottles each, are said to have been found in subsequent digs. |
'Delicious' | 'Delicious' |
At least two cases were reportedly found by a sharp-eyed villager who noticed a glint in the ground. | At least two cases were reportedly found by a sharp-eyed villager who noticed a glint in the ground. |
The liquor could fetch at least 5,000 euros (£3,360) per bottle, according to Skopje University expert Mihail Petkov. | The liquor could fetch at least 5,000 euros (£3,360) per bottle, according to Skopje University expert Mihail Petkov. |
This must be what people mean by the nectar of the gods Villager Stefan Kovacevski | This must be what people mean by the nectar of the gods Villager Stefan Kovacevski |
The professor of oenology said: "The villagers told me they have tasted a wonderful, delicious, very strong alcoholic beverage. | The professor of oenology said: "The villagers told me they have tasted a wonderful, delicious, very strong alcoholic beverage. |
"I don't think wine would stay drinkable after 90 years so I think it's probably cognac, as its quality improves with age. People have been coming from France to look for it." | "I don't think wine would stay drinkable after 90 years so I think it's probably cognac, as its quality improves with age. People have been coming from France to look for it." |
He explained that French wine-producers once had to pay a military tax, which they met by supplying wine and spirits directly to the army. | He explained that French wine-producers once had to pay a military tax, which they met by supplying wine and spirits directly to the army. |
Stefan Kovacevski, 64, is one of the locals who has tasted the find. | Stefan Kovacevski, 64, is one of the locals who has tasted the find. |
He told the Associated Press news agency: "At first we were afraid to taste the dark, thick liquid. But this must be what people mean by the nectar of the gods." | He told the Associated Press news agency: "At first we were afraid to taste the dark, thick liquid. But this must be what people mean by the nectar of the gods." |
In 1916, Gradesnica was at the heart of fighting during a drive by Allied forces to bolster Serbia and halt the advance of the Central Powers' troops. |
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