Scandal: Fake Burgundy wines filled with Italian wine!
In the captivating world of wine, we sometimes encounter stories that are as intriguing as they are disturbing. Today, we’re going to delve into a case that shook the wine industry: a counterfeiting ring orchestrated by an alleged Russian counterfeiter, involving Burgundy bottles filled with Italian wine. This story combines criminal ingenuity, international investigation, and protecting the integrity of great wines.
Counterfeiting network dismantled
On September 26, a major operation put an end to the activities of a group of counterfeiters. At Milan-Malpensa airport , the Italian carabinieri arrested the alleged mastermind of this organization, while he was in the middle of a transaction with a dubious printer. Simultaneously, coordinated raids took place in France and Italy, resulting in the arrest of five accomplices.
This intervention is the result of a thorough international investigation . The authorities have dismantled a network accused of having sold more than 2 million euros worth of fake wines. As wine professionals, we are particularly sensitive to this type of case which threatens the integrity of our industry and consumer confidence.
The main suspect, Aleksandr Lugov , a 40-year-old Russian national known by several aliases, is not a newbie. Already convicted in Burgundy for counterfeiting prestigious wines such as those from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) and Domaine Leroy, he appears to have resumed his illicit activities shortly after his first conviction.
A repeat offender in the world of wine
Lugov's history with counterfeiting dates back to 2013, when DRC staff began spotting suspicious bottles on the market. An international investigation then led to several arrests in France and Italy, eventually leading to Lugov.
In 2017, the Dijon court found him guilty of money laundering and organized fraud. He was convicted of selling around 400 bottles of fake Burgundy, worth an estimated €2.5 million, between 2012 and 2014. His sentence included:
- 4 years in prison, 2 of which were suspended
- A fine of 150,000 euros
- Damages amounting to 550,000 euros, including 300,000 for the DRC
- A ban on carrying out any commercial activity for 5 years
This latest sanction was, according to his lawyer, "the only punishment he did not want to have, the one he feared the most". As passionate sommeliers, we understand the devastating impact that such actions can have on the reputation of wine estates and on the entire industry.
A new wave of counterfeits
Despite these sanctions, as early as 2019, new counterfeits began to circulate in Europe, particularly in Switzerland and Italy. According to Europol, the European Union's police agency, "investigations showed that the old fake bottles were still being sold, alongside new ones [featuring] copies of the new security features [of the estates]."
The French gendarmes in charge of the case have discovered a new distribution circuit linked to the previous case involving Lugov. It seems that the counterfeiter has barely interrupted his activities, establishing a new international network of accomplices. His modus operandi was to bottle cheap Italian wine by passing it off as high-end French wine, with counterfeit corks and labels made by Italian printers.
Here is a summary table of the main characteristics of this new wave of counterfeits:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin of wine | Italy (cheap wine) |
| Misnomer | French Grands Crus |
| Selling price | Up to €15,000 per bottle |
| Distribution | Export by air worldwide |
As wine enthusiasts, we are appalled by the scale and sophistication of this operation. It highlights the critical importance of traceability and authentication in our industry.
The importance of vigilance in the world of wine
This case highlights the need for international cooperation in the fight against wine counterfeiting. The operation that led to the arrest of Lugov and his accomplices involved an impressive task force: Italian carabinieri, French gendarmes, investigating judges, prosecutors, Swiss federal police, customs and Europol.
The seizures made during the raids reveal the scale of the operation:
- Thousands of counterfeit labels
- Computer equipment and telephones
- Luxury watches
- 117,000 euros in cash
- Assets worth an estimated 2 million euros
For us wine professionals, this case is a poignant reminder of the importance of vigilance and expertise in our field. It also underscores the need for wineries to invest in advanced authentication technologies to protect their heritage and reputation.
Ultimately, this story reminds us that the value of a great wine lies not only in its exquisite taste or high price, but also in its authenticity and history. It is up to us, wine lovers and professionals, to remain vigilant and continue to value and protect this unique heritage.
