Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard has suffered multiple
break-ins since last year with thieves targeting its premier and grand
cru cuvées.
he first theft at Domaine Brocard took place nine months ago when 600
bottles were taken and there have been three more since, the most
recent being last week.
In total, 2,500 bottles have been taken, totalling €50,000, all of
them premier and grand cru wines from the 2011, 2012 and 2013 vintages.
As reported by
Decanter, the thieves have even used a
“specially armoured” vehicle to break down the doors of the cellar which
has caused “serious destruction” to the winery as well.
The cellar has been reinforced and alerts put out to trace the wines
but as none have re-emerged it is believed they are being stolen to
order.
Similar break-ins also using an armoured vehicle have been reported
at other estates including Domaine Roland Lavantureux in Lignerolles.
No arrests have been made although the Auxerre police department has
set up a special enquiry team and a special protection unit to keep an
eye on Domaine Brocard.
The Chablis estates are the latest victims in what is a growing
problem for producers, with previous victims including Palmer, Yquem and
Jacques Selosse.
Merchants are also being targeted now with Red Squirrel Wines in
Twickenham and even Berry Bros & Rudd – which suffered a break-in at
one of its warehouses earlier this year – being targeted.
Last year one of France’s foremost collectors was taken hostage in
his own home and menaced with a shotgun by a gang that wanted to break
into his cellar. In the end they fled empty-handed.
Early last year the French
gendarmerie swooped on 20 individuals known to be part of gangs behind wine thefts.
Source: www.thedrinksbusiness.com & www.eater.com
No comments:
Post a Comment