The inspection process is a thorough one. What types of tests do you do on a bottle to verify it? But once we can agree on the evaluation and someone decides they want to sell the wine, we begin the inspection process. We generally don't accept what I call "mega wines" or very old and rare wines from collectors who we do not know or who have not established a reputation for being long and active collectors. Somebody can't just walk in from the street. John Kapon: The first step is to know who you're dealing with, as far as the collector and owner, when you're dealing with fine and rare wines. NEWSWEEK: What is the first thing you look for when you are offered a vintage bottle of wine? Vice President Patrick Séré, which deals exclusively with high-profile Chateau Petrus, people do try to pass fake labels of Petrus, but "if you buy a Petrus from a reputable store, you are 99.9 percent sure to have the genuine article because these people buy from the importers themselves."īut how do importers and wine houses investigate these bottles, and what tools does a wine cop have in his arsenal to spot a faux bottle? NEWSWEEK's Alexandra Gekas spoke with John Kapon, the president and auction director at New York City's Acker-Merrall & Condit Co., named America's oldest wine shop by Frommer's, to find out how professionals spot the fakes. Investigating whether wine houses, collectors or importers are knowingly selling counterfeits, federal prosecutors have subpoenaed several top auction houses, including Christie's in London and Zachys in New York.įine-wine experts say most problems can be avoided by working with credible, established retailers. Although the problem is not rampant, Wine Spectator magazine recently estimated that 5 percent of rare vintages sold privately or at auction are counterfeit, and the U.S. But for those privileged few who can afford $1,000 or more per bottle, counterfeiting has become a serious concern. For the average wine drinker there is little risk of buying a counterfeit bottle of Yellow Tail merlot, and even if there were, most people wouldn't know the difference.
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