Police pursue counterfeiters passing off swill as a Burgundy that fetches $12,000 per bottle

Published January 13, 2015

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

The Burgundy vineyard sounded the alarm last year, and a French lab tested several seized bottles labeled as Romanee-Conti. The analysis revealed a mediocre wine inside, masquerading as one that can sell for up to 9,000 euros ($12,000) a bottle.

Earlier this month, police in several European countries raided houses and offices, detaining several people for questioning. France has asked for the extradition of two Italians who were arrested. More suspects are being sought.

The prosecutor's office in Dijon, in Burgundy, said this week that the network has sold at least 400 counterfeit bottles for a total of 2 million euros.

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