Author: Chelsea Snare

NEW THIS WEEK: March 11, 2016

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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

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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…

Top Chef Suicide Involved in Wine Scam

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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

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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…

Council Sends Illegal Alcohol for Destruction

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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…

Wine Scam Director Raked in £300,000

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Jeff Berrill who liquidated Westminster Fine Wines has been sentenced to 12 months in prison. He was charged for taking money and never delivering on 57 cases of wine for 11 investors. There are additional investors who were not named in this lawsuit, that also never received the wine they…

NEW THIS WEEK: February 25, 2016

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In the final week of February, we added some great new articles for our members to read. Michael Egan wrote about what makes a great vintage, and what to look for when purchasing wines. Part two with Travis Pollard about layering print technologies to ensure your label will thwart counterfeiters,…

Edmonton Man Arrested for Wine Bar Scam

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One man was arrested in London on accounts of insurance fraud. The total charges were conspiracy to defraud and money laundering offenses. Over years, many insurance claims were made by a wine bar called “The Lounge,” which was never opened. Read more here.