The Importance of Storage Conditions for Wine


By: Jamie Goode

We all know that wine is sensitive to poor storage conditions, but the key question is this: just how sensitive? In this report I’m going to look at both the theory and also the evidence, with special attention given to proper scientific attempts to examine this…

Myths and Reality of the Current State of Counterfeit Wine


By: Siobhan Turner

It is interesting when I talk to people about what I do, what their reactions are.  Many people are surprised it’s a problem.  Most collectors assume they are far too savvy ever to get caught.  Wine trade people know it’s an issue, but many assume it’s nothing…

Refutation of Stuart George


Getting to $550mill.

Recently, historical fraud supporter and nay-sayer of all things I do, Stuart George went about claiming that our number that there is $550million in value of Rudy Kurniawan-made wine still in circulation - in cellars and being traded – is somehow impossible. Unfortunately, Mr. George did not,…

Recommended Reading List


As many people start to learn about wines, authenticating, and the history of wine producing, I get questions about what books I recommend, and especially from Members, what additional information is out there to continue your education. Over the course of my career, I've read and acquired many books and…

Alexander Anikin and the Wine Ring


A ring of Italian and Russian counterfeiters have been arrested. These arrests have been a huge reminder to many in the industry that wine counterfeiting is still happening, and in high volumes. This ring was found after an investigation sprouting from information from Mahatma Wines. The ring recreated these wines…

The Relevance of Wine Authentication to Masters of Wine


As the former Executive Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine, what was the relevance of wine authentication to the organization? Wow!  This is a difficult question to answer, and it must be done from a number of different perspectives. The first, and easiest, way to tackle this question…

Never Give a Sucker an Even Break


Recovery Rooms, White Knights and Advance Fee Frauds  I am convinced that fraudsters are very keen followers of WC Fields as they abide to the letter by his famous dictum in the 1941 film “Never Give a Sucker an Even Break”. The chances are that if you fall victim to…