Taiwanese authorities have seized 30,000 bottles
of wine from an importer in New Taipei, which are thought to be bulk
wine rebranded as top Bordeaux.
As reported by
The China Post, Taiwan’s Investigation Bureau
estimates that the counterfeit wines have netted the company a profit
of £2.1m over the past five years.
The bureau received a tip that Tequila Development was importing
large quantities of bulk red wines from Spain and Chile and passing it
off as French.
The company, which was founded in 1989, rebottled the wine in Taiwan
using fake labels of top French châteaux. It is believed that the
company has sold around 440,000 bottles of the counterfeit wine since
2010.
On 19 March, prosecutors searched Tequila Development’s facilities in
New Taipei and Changhua county, seizing over 30,000 bottles of
counterfeit wines. At the same time, they questioned the company’s CEO,
Ted Lin, who has been released on bail. He denies all charges.
According to the Wine Spectator, in order to appear
legitimate, the company also ordered premium wines from France, using
its printing facility to replicate the labels.
One of the companies allegedly targeted by the fraudsters was Bordeaux négociant Maison Bouey.
Credit:
www.thedrinksbusiness.com
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