Vintage Crime: A History of Wine Fraud

Wine has always promised truth in the glass — but behind the cork lies a long, intoxicating history of deception. In this episode, we uncork the world of wine fraud, from ancient additives to modern masterminds like Rudy Kurniawan, who fooled elite collectors with blends designed to mimic rare vintages. We explore how the value of wine, like art, hinges on the fragile judgment of connoisseurs, even as blind tastings repeatedly show everyday drinkers prefer cheaper bottles. From Roman flavorings to the deadly lead powders of early Europe, to France’s creation of strict appellation laws and today’s surge of knock-off wines in China, this is the story of a marketplace where authenticity is priceless — and endlessly forged.https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/11/14/how-to-spot-a-fake-wine