Food Crime Raids Jump Amid Budget Cuts
While raids on companies for food and alcohol frauds such as wine, are raising, there is a fear that budget cuts among counties could stop these important raids. Read more here.
Author: Chelsea Snare
NEW THIS WEEK: March 17, 2016
In this week’s update, we continued to add to our Koch vs Greenberg trial, with Greenberg’s continued testimony about the authenticity of the wines he owned and ultimately sold to Koch. We also uploaded hundreds of counterfeit DRC bottles into galleries with the tags to ensure you know what to…
The Secret Tricks of Wine Cold Callers
How do you convince a stranger to take out their life savings in wine? Antonia Paget went undercover to work for Wynn XS Limited and learn all the secrets that cold callers employ to take money from unsuspecting people just answering their phones. Read more here.
NEW THIS WEEK: March 11, 2016
This week, WineFraud.com added a great article from contributor Michael Egan about Vandermeulen Bottlings and why they are coveted, and therefore often counterfeited. We also added in galleries of authentic Italian wines that are most counterfeited, and part eleven of the Rudy Kurniawan trial with James Grathwohl and Rudy’s tax…
Pittcon 2016 Showcases New Wine Authentication Advancements
Pittcon 2016 showcased new products and solutions this week for their consumers. While most were associated with phamacueticals and food, there was an advancement in the wine industry as well. With wine profiling, the NMR FoodScanner added in new regions, areas of interest, and enhancements. With this scanner, it can…
VIntage Wine Estates Files Trademark Infringement Suit Against Dan Cohn
Vintage Wine Estates, Inc filed a trademark infringement suit again Dan Cohn on February 29, 2016. In the suit, they claim that they purchased the intellectual property, including the name "Cohn" on July 24, 2015, and Dan Cohn violated the terms of this agreement when he created Daniel Cohn Wine…
Top Chef Suicide Involved in Wine Scam
Three Michelin-Star restaurant chef, Benoît Violier, was found dead from an apparent suicide on February 1, 2016. After his death, it was found that he was a victim of a ponzi scheme wine scam with the company, Private Finance Partners. This company sold expensive bottles of wine to multiple parties…
NEW THIS WEEK: March 3, 2016
In the first week of March, we added news stories about Rudy Kurniawan’s stake in Burgundy returning to the family, a Wine Director taking money and never exchanging for wine, and a council seized alcohol from shops without liquor licenses. We also put up part seven of the Koch vs…
Kurniawan’s Stake in Burgundy Vineyards is Sold
Rudy Kurniawan purchased 250 shares in the de Montille family winery making his ownership 22.73% of the winery. When Kurniawan was arrested, he forfeited the shares to the government which allowed Etienne de Montille to purchase them back. Read more here.
Council Sends Illegal Alcohol for Destruction
The council found shops without licenses for selling alcohol, selling counterfeit wines and spirits, and not paying taxes, and seized their alcohol. The council stressed that the alcohol content could be incorrect causing danger to consumers, and the businesses are not helping to support the community with their taxes. Read…