Author: Chelsea Snare

Microchips Protect Against Counterfeit Scams

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An Australian company is trialing labels embedded with microchips to use against counterfeiters. These microchips can track the history of the wine, checking provenance, and can verify authenticity. The microchips will be connected to a smartphone app that users can use to track the wines. Read more here.

Students Develop Technology to Identify Counterfeits

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A group of students at the University of Texas is using technology to see if the wines bottled are what they say they are. The technology is sensors that detect tannins, and can determine when the grapes were picked, and what varietal is used. These tests can be used to…

Demand for Rare Wines Make Collectors Easy Targets

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A great summary of the counterfeit wine issues, especially in China, about why wines are counterfeited and that the most expensive wines are not the only wines that are targeted. Counterfeiters like Hardy Rodenstock and Rudy Kurniawan are notorious for their impact on the counterfeits in the industry, but unfortunately…

Facebook Helps Lead to Arrrest

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A Stockton wine bar owner had $1000 of wine stolen just before Valentine’s Day, but was able to use Facebook, and the community to track down the stolen wines. After posting the security footage of the theft on the social media network, the owner, Paul Marsh, got a private message…

NEW THIS WEEK: February 18, 2016

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This week brought new blogs, and lots of counterfeit images. Jim Budd wrote about how you can avoid wine investment scams, and Steve Morey talks restaurants and how they can protect themselves from buying counterfeit wines. In addition, we’ve added many new vintages to our counterfeit wines, as well as…

Wine Fraud and the Restaurant Wine Buyer

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By: Steve Morey The mission is clear.  As a Restaurateur, Wine Director or Cellar Master, your prime directive is to create, procure, store, market and serve wines appropriate for your eatery and valued guests.  This may include acquiring unique, highly coveted wines of the world that takes international buying experience,…

NEW THIS WEEK: February 11, 2016

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This week, we added many interesting articles, and have lots of great news stories to look for. Two great articles about wine companies filing for bankruptcy as a warning for consumers- Siobhan Turner covers Antique Wine Company, and Frances Dinkelspiel follows Premier Cru. Another great article from Maureen Downey is…