Christie's counterfeit wine shakes up the wine industry
In the world of fine wine, we were always concerned about distinctiveness and value, but this is also where the counterfeit wine sales come to the scene. While the atomic bomb testing is yielding an unexpected bonus for consumers, still renowned auction houses like Christie’s can be heard of being involved in counterfeit wine sales. In the latest report, the billionaire collector and yachtsman William Koch has accused Christie's International PLC of knowingly selling dozens of counterfeit bottles supposedly owned by Thomas Jefferson that he bought for more than $300,000. Christie's had sold Mr. Koch at least 33 bottles of counterfeit wine, including a $4,200 bottle of rare 1870 Lafite that he claimed may have been corked after World War II. While it might take some to verify the authenticity of the allegations, Mr. Koch’s efforts have opened a rare window into the intense rivalries among the world's leading wine auctioneers.
Via: NY Daily News
