Wine’s Pedigree Faked

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/24/world/europe/wines-pedigree-faked.html

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PARIS — European authorities are pursuing a network of counterfeiters who passed off hundreds of bottles of mediocre wine as Romanée-Conti, often considered the best and most expensive wine in the world.

A true Romanée-Conti can sell for up to $12,000 a bottle.

Vintners from Burgundy said Wednesday that counterfeit wines often end up in China, where consumption of fine wine, especially French wine, is exploding and driving prices up.

France has asked for the extradition of two Italians who were arrested, and prosecutors are pursuing other suspects.