TCM® Wine Authentication

Have concerns about a single bottle of wine, or an entire cellar full of them?

Contemplating a purchase but want assurances in advance of investment?

Own bottles purchased by a loved one decades ago and what to know their sale-ability and worth?

Contact Chai Consulting to determine the authenticity and value of your investment. To get started online, click here.

“Maureen’s Advice is sound. She is the Queen of Sniffing out fakes.”
– Jancis Robinson, OBE, MW

TCM Wine Authentication

Physical inspection of wine and spirits bottles following The Chai Method® proprietary, systemic approach to bottle inspection to assess both authenticity and health. TCM® Inspection involves use of various forms of magnification, measurement, lighting, imaging and note taking on over 100 different individual bottle details. Professional opinions findings are reported verbally, in formal, court-ready, written reports, or via Chai Vault certification.

Verbal Reporting

TCM® Verbal Report is appropriate for pre-purchase advisory.

TCM® Inspection Reports

Reporting for bottles deemed inauthentic, inconsistent, problematic or which were purchased in a condition unsuitable for consumption Findings of bottles deemed counterfeit or inconsistent with known authentic examples or production standards are reported in comprehensive, court ready.

TCM Inspection Reports® with photographic depictions of anomalies and findings. Current market replacement valuation can be included.

Can remain available as needed for advisory services related to the remuneration of purchases on bottles deemed incorrect, including expert witness testimony.

Authentic Findings: Chai Vault Certification

Authentic bottles in proper condition will be inputted into the Chai Vault. The Chai Vault is a groundbreaking, blockchain-supported system of tracking authenticity and provenance for the life of the bottle. The Certificate of Authenticity is visible online, in advance of purchase, ensuring top sales prices, retained value, and only authentic and sound purchases.

The Chai Vault anti-fraud solution for wine and spirits enables potential buyers to know a bottle is authentic and sound by viewing provable provenance online, before purchase, without being in physical proximity to the bottle. Sellers can expect top dollar for certified bottles. Consumers can focus on buying wines that are authentic rather than avoiding those that are not. Chai Vault proves bottle-level authenticity by layering multiple identifications on top of blockchain security.

The Chai Vault solution solves for authentication and registration of bottles at the time of production or in the secondary market when authenticated by a certified TCM Authenticator, or a licensed vendor with provable direct provenence.

Vendors then list certified bottles online with individual bottles’ hyperlinks so potential buyers and view the online certificate of Authenticity and Provenence which lists current conditions and an image of the actual bottle. Owner information can be encrypted for confidentiality, but the chain of selling vendors remains visible.

Example  – 1988 Domaine Leroy, Richebourg

Chai Vault certification is the only proof a bottle was authenticated by Chai Consulting or the team of affiliated, global TCM Certified Authenticators.

For more information about Chai Vault, visit us at ChaiVault.com.

“Keen, experienced, and methodic is how I describe Maureen’s approach to wine authentication. Maureen Downey’s knowledge and experience have served as an invaluable tool in identifying questionable, highly collectible, often older, wine bottles I purchased.

Based on her findings, I was able to return bottles I had purchased or intended to purchase. I highly recommend her service as a wine professional!”.

– James Grandison, Professor of Ethics, Victim of Rudy Kurniawan Counterfeits

Chai Consulting Authentication Services