Wine Fraud and Wine Scams

Peter recognized an expert he knew in the documentary “Sour Grapes” about high-end wine fraud and wondered how a so-called authority could be so easily duped. Astonished by the enormity of the black-market wine world, Jason and Peter started wondering about the nature of high-end products…are they actually superior? What they found out will definitely surprise you. Really, no really! Realizing that they were incapable of discerning the difference between a thousand-dollar Bordeaux and Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck, they sought out Maureen Downey, the foremost authority on wine and wine fraud to teach them, and YOU the secrets of actually appreciating fine wine. Known as “The Sherlock Holmes of Wine” and one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Wine” Maureen specializes in authentication and valuation. She advises the world’s top collectors, auction houses, wine merchants, restaurants, and hotels and has advised the FBI and the Department of Justice in several high-profile cases.   IN THIS EPISODE: The amount of international wine fraud is staggering! Rudy Kurniawan - “The Wolf of Wine Street.” A rattlesnake in Maureen Downey’s home to silence her? Why people buy luxury, especially if they can’t afford it. The secret behind winning gold medals in wine tasting. Should you smell the cork? The mythical Thomas Jefferson wines. The secretive black-market world of wine fraud.   FOLLOW MAUREEN DOWNEY: Instagram & X: @moevino Web: ChaiConsulting.com Web: WineFraud.com     FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X (Twitter) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices