wine fraud

Wine Spectator senior editor James Suckling reports that Italy's financial police are now investigating makers of Chianti in Tuscany based on fraud allegations similar to those which faced some makers of Brunello di Montalcino for two years.

Blogs : Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth

A Cautionary Tale, for Consumers and Wineries

As fraud spreads, it's easy to combat

Posted: November 30, 2009 By James Molesworth

Wine Spectator senior editor James Molesworth discovers that a winery's claims to outstanding Wine Spectator reviews are not always what they seem.

Blogs : James Suckling Uncorked

Dealing with the Fear of Fake Wines

Counterfeiting is a problem for trophies, but we can relax and enjoy most wines

Posted: November 25, 2009 By James Suckling

A wine merchant told me a story recently about a customer who wanted to return two cases of 1982 Bordeaux, even though the bottles and labels were in perfect condition. Apparently his customer had served the wine at a dinner with friends and everyone around the table was suspicious of the bottles because the labels and capsules were perfect. They looked new. Moreover, the wine was incredibly fresh and beautiful, like it was 10 years younger.

What his customer didn't know was that the two cases came directly from the cellars of the château.

Collecting : Collecting News

Billionaire's Vinegar Lawsuit Ends

Random House Settles out of court with Michael Broadbent, who claimed book defamed his character

Posted: October 16, 2009 By Mitch Frank

Oct.15, 2009 Issue : News

Brunello Investigation

Posted: October 15, 2009 By Mitch Frank, James Suckling

News & Features : News

Accused Wine Warehouse Arsonist Heads to Trial

California man is charged with fraud and torching $250 million in wine

Posted: September 21, 2009 By Tim Fish

Collecting : Collecting News

Billionaire Sues Major Collector

In separate action, Christie's Broadbent sues book publisher

Posted: September 11, 2009 By Mitch Frank, Peter Hellman, Jacob Gaffney

News & Features : News

Brunello Investigation Ends

Italian treasury police issue final report on blending scandal; raises more questions than answers

Posted: July 24, 2009 By Mitch Frank, James Suckling

Blogs : James Suckling Uncorked

Once Again, for the Record

Posted: July 23, 2009 By James Suckling

Brunello di Montalcino has been in the news again in Italy following an Italian finance police press conference this past Saturday in Siena when it recapped its nearly two-year investigation into fraudulent winemaking practices in the region.

Blogs : James Suckling Uncorked

Truth in Advertising

Posted: July 8, 2009 By James Suckling

I get sick and tired of some wine merchants misusing my scores. And I have to wonder how many of the other scores or ratings they use to flog wines they misrepresent. Just the other day a wine merchant friend from Hong Kong e-mailed me with an offer from a wine broker in Switzerland that included my scores and the Wine Advocate ’s on 2004 Brunello di Montalcino.

News & Features : News

French Authorities Investigate Suspected Fake Pinot Noir

Languedoc vignerons stand accused of exporting cheaper types of wine as Pinot; Gallo's Red Bicyclette may be a victim of the scandal

Posted: February 13, 2009 By Mitch Frank, Tim Fish

Blogs : Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Takes on Wine Fraud

Posted: January 16, 2009 By James Molesworth

Wine fraud continues to be a growing problem. There are more consumers competing for the world's high-end bottlings, both via retail and the secondary market. Since many of these wines are made in limited amounts (that won't ever increase in the case of single-vineyard wines), the increased demand is feeding the growth of this insidious problem.