In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot&#39;s gripping memoir &quot;FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation&quot; reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world&#39;s most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

As the proprietor of Domaine Ponsot, one of Burgundy&#39;s most prestigious estates, Ponsot&#39;s journey began when he discovered counterfeit bottles of his family&#39;s wine at an auction &ndash; including vintages that had never been produced. What followed was an exhaustive investigation that would span continents, involve federal authorities, and ultimately lead to the first criminal prosecution for wine fraud in US history.

While many know this story from the documentary &quot;Sour Grapes,&quot; Ponsot&#39;s firsthand account offers fascinating new details and important corrections to the film&#39;s narrative. His motivation transcends mere business interests; it&#39;s a deeply personal crusade to protect not just his family&#39;s legacy, but the integrity of Burgundy&#39;s winemaking heritage and France&#39;s cultural patrimony.

The book excels in depicting the methodical detective work required to expose sophisticated wine fraud. Ponsot&#39;s expertise as a winemaker proves crucial in spotting telltale signs of counterfeiting, from impossible vintages to subtle inconsistencies in label design and glass manufacturing. His persistence in the face of initial skepticism from auction houses and collectors highlights how deeply embedded fake wines had become in the fine wine market.

The stakes of wine fraud remain alarmingly high today. Experts estimate that counterfeit wines represent anywhere from 20% to 50% of the secondary market for rare vintages, potentially accounting for billions in fraudulent sales annually. And while Kurniawan&#39;s conviction marked a watershed moment in combating wine fraud, the story didn&#39;t end there. Since his release and return to Asia, rumors have swirled about his continued connections to the wine world &ndash; a sobering reminder that the vulnerabilities exposed by his case continue to plague the industry. The fight against sophisticated wine counterfeiters remains as urgent as ever.

Ponsot&#39;s narrative skill brings the investigation to life with cinematic flair. From clandestine meetings with FBI agents to the dramatic auction room confrontation that helped build the case against Kurniawan, each chapter ratchets up the tension. The technical details of winemaking and authentication are explained clearly enough for general readers while satisfying even the most knowledgeable oenophiles.

What elevates this book beyond a simple true-crime narrative is Ponsot&#39;s passionate defense of wine as more than just a luxury commodity. His writing conveys the deep cultural significance of Burgundy&#39;s winemaking traditions and the moral imperative to protect them. The righteous anger that fuels his investigation is balanced by moments of humor and an insider&#39;s perspective on the sometimes absurd world of ultra-premium wine collecting.

&quot;FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation&quot; is essential reading for wine enthusiasts, but it&#39;s equally compelling for anyone who enjoys tales of justice served. Ponsot has crafted a fascinating expos&eacute; of high-stakes fraud and a love letter to the authentic winemaking traditions he has spent his life defending. Hollywood would be wise to option this story &ndash; it has all the ingredients of a classic thriller, made all the more remarkable by being true.

In an era where authenticity seems increasingly rare, Ponsot&#39;s unwavering commitment to truth and tradition is refreshing. This book isn&#39;t just about wine fraud; it&#39;s about standing up for what&#39;s right, regardless of the personal cost. For anyone interested in wine, true crime, or simply a well-told story of principle triumphing over greed, &quot;FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation&quot; is a must-read.

&nbsp;

FBI &ndash; Fake Bottles Investigation, is available in English! 
Self-published by Laurent Ponsot, it is for sale&nbsp;for 22 euros. 
 
If you would like to have your copy, please contact at FBIbyLP@gmail.com or you can find the French version here at <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fbi-laurent-ponsot/1144002655?ean=9782749955964">Barnes and Nobles</a>.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit The White Horse Tavern in Rhode Island.

Wine List Review of The White Horse Tavern, 

Michaela Quinlan

The White Horse Tavern

White Horse

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

MQ: Hi Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about White Horse Tavern. Located in Newport, RI, the White Horse Tavern is known to be the oldest operating restaurant in the US serving guests since 1673, and the 10th oldest in the world. The White Horse Tavern has been featuring the freshest fish, seafood, produce, and beef from local sellers and farms since 1673. Whether or not you are familiar with 17th Century architecture, you will immediately identify this classic, colonial Inn.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: While Newport is beautiful in the summer, the White Horse Tavern shines during all seasons. My favorite time to visit is during the holidays. Don&rsquo;t miss their beautiful fireplaces.

Staying true to classic style is not only for the Inn and dining menu, but certainly extends to the wine list. The White Horse has received the annual Wine Spectator Award of Excellence consistently for nearly a decade. Please take your time reviewing this extensive list. We have selected some stellar wines for your consideration.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: Given our restaurant today, we will start with a classic, the 2021, Fran&ccedil;oise Crochet, Sancerre, from the Loire Valley of France. This Sauvignon Blanc from the Sancerre region of Loire is grown in limestone soil which allows for beautiful minerality in this organic and biodynamic white wine. Classic aromas and flavors of lime zest, and grapefruit with bright acidity abound. This sancerre is a lovely aperitif, and pairs beautifully with goat cheese and seafood.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Of course! A red to consider would be the&nbsp; 2019 Oberon, Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California. Oberon has been producing wine in Napa for over 45 years. This is a rich and bold Cabernet Sauvignon showcasing ripe, black cherries, cassis, smooth tannins, with a note of cocoa on the finish. A stand-out Napa cabernet sauvignon to pair with richly-sauced proteins.

RT: So, Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

MQ: A must-try is the 2019 Château de Santenay, Meursault, in the Cote de Beaune of Burgundy, France. Chateau de Santenay is one of the largest domains in Burgundy with nearly 2000 years of wine history boasting a 9th-century castle. This Chardonnay is aged in French barriques, allowing for an elegant balance of bright acidity and a soft texture featuring aromas of pear, citrus, green apple with a toasty finish. Another wonderful consideration for rich fish dishes such as swordfish or salmon.

RT: These are some great calls.

So, you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: Another stand out is the 2017 Penner-Ash, Pinot Noir from Eola-Amity Hills, of the Willamette Valley, in Oregon. Penner-Ash is a must visit to experience the incredible views and winery that match their remarkable pinot noir. This well balanced and structured pinot noir packs a punch and showcases ripe cranberries, cherries, and spice, with earth and oak on the finish. Another consideration for any proteins on the menu.

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.&nbsp; Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: Absolutely! Staying in Oregon, consider the 2020 Foris, Estate Grown, Pinot Blanc, from the Rogue Valley. Located in Southwestern Oregon, along the California border, Foris has been producing wines since 1974. The aromatics of this wine stand out right away. It features white flowers, pear, peach, lemon zest with a note of ginger on the finish. A food-friendly wine perfect for seafood or lighter proteins, all at an excellent price.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: Another incredible quality and value wine to consider would be the 2021 Domaine Faury, Syrah from the Northern Rhone Valley of France. Another fragrant wine featuring ripe red cherries, spice, with a hint of lavender, not to mention the round tannins and black pepper on the finish. This Syrah can certainly stand up to any rich dishes and proteins. &nbsp;

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

&nbsp;MQ: Since we are featuring the wines of the historic White Horse Tavern, then we must include the 2007 Sauternes of Chateau d&rsquo;Yquem, from Graves, in Bordeaux, France. There are records dating winemaking practices as far back as 1593 and the following history of Chateau d&rsquo;Yquem is definitely worth the read. This 2007 Sauternes is also historic and distinctive. The terrible weather during most of the 2007 growing season was leading this Sauternes to nearly be overlooked. However, a shift in the weather led the grapes to fully develop Botrytis, or Noble Rot, allowing the grapes to intensify the sweetness and richness of this historic dessert wine. With a 98-point rating from both Decanter and Wine Advocate, this is Sauternes is known as a stand-out vintage. The rich peach, apricot, white flowers, and vanilla would make an excellent companion to any special occasion.

RT: Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate White Horse Tavern&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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End

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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Kettmeir is a historic winery located in the heart of the Alto Adige region in Northern Italy. Founded in 1919 by Josef Kettmeir, the winery has been producing some of the finest wines in the region for over a century. Kettmeir’s commitment to quality and innovation has helped it become a benchmark for Italian wine production, and its wines are enjoyed by wine lovers around the world.

Remodeled house with native Italian owner serving specialties like housemade pasta & braised rabbit.

Viva Garcia

Brera Osteria

Buddy V's

Yardbird

CHICA Las Vegas

Chica

Bar Zazu

Hell's Kitchen, Las Vegas

Brera

Jasmine

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Marzano's Restaurant

Brigaldara

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico NV

Corvina

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy

Elena Walch

Pinot Bianco, Alto Adige NV

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Azienda Agricola Tintero Elvio Moscato d'Asti, Italy, Piedmont NV

Moscato

Asti, Piedmont, Italy

Vinska Klet

'Krasno' Sauvignon Blanc - Ribolla Gialla NV

Goriska Brda, Slovenia

J. Hofstätter

Pinot Grigio Alto Adige NV

Pinot Grigio

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Long Shadows, Poet's Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley NV

Washington, USA

Elena Walch, Chardonnay, Alto Adige NV

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Collazzi

I Bastioni Chianti Classico NV

Sangiovese

Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

La Spinetta

Il Rose di Casanova NV

Sangiovese

Tuscany, Italy

Tenuta Le Calcinaie

Vernaccia di San Gimignano NV

Vernaccia

San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy

Gini, Soave, Classico NV

Soave, Veneto, Italy

J. Bookwalter

Readers Merlot NV

Merlot

Columbia Valley, USA

Farina

Valpolicella Ripasso NV

Blend

Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy

Abbazia di Novacella (Stiftskellerei Neustift)

Kerner NV

Kerner

Italy

Kiona, Syrah, Red Mountain NV

Washington, USA