A boom in the popularity of wine in China has led to an increase in counterfeiting, with consumers being caught out by lookalike printed labels.
According to reports in the Los Angeles Times, inexperienced wine enthusiasts are being caught out by con artists who either reuse old vintage bottles to sell on cheap wines at inflated prices, or mimic the printed labels of major wineries to steal a share in the market.
Simon Tam, head of wine in China for Christie's auction house, told the source that the problem is so extensive that the firm smashes all of its empty wine bottles after tasting events.
"We have to protect provenance," he told the source.
"Even if you scrape off the label, there are still channels for the bottles to be misused. It's really about being responsible."
Tom Mueller, author of a book called Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil, told the New York Post of a similar problem in the olive oil market.
Denny Bros Ltd, 20 January 2012
