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; 
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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 Shore Club, a fabulous restaurant with locations in both Ottawa and Toronto.

Wine List Review of The Shore Club, Toronto

Michaela Quinlan

The Shore Club

Shore Club:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where,&nbsp;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 lists 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 The Shore Club. Located in Toronto and Ottawa, this contemporary steak and seafood restaurant features lunch, light fare, and formal dining.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their wine list?

MQ: Another fantastic wine list featuring classic favorites, local wines, half bottles, what they deem alternative whites and reds, along with bin ends, make this list fun and welcoming to all wine lovers.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: Anytime I see a menu featuring light fare and shellfish, I think of Rose, no matter the season. A light, crisp, and refreshing rose to consider is the 2020 Jules Rose from Provence, France. This blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah features the classic aromas and flavors we look for in Provence Rose. From notes of citrus, strawberry, and cantaloupe, this dry Rose is a perfect pairing for all light dishes, cheese, or as an aperitif.&nbsp;

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Another favorite that caught my eye was the 2020 Ben Marco &lsquo;Plata&rsquo; Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. This Malbec is appealing in every way. The medium to full body, along with soft, round tannins, aromas of ripe blueberries, blackberries, fig, with coffee and cocoa make this crowd-pleasing red a perfect companion to richly sauced pasta and 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: If you are considering shellfish, or fried seafood you must keep something sparkling in mind. The Domaine Rolet Pere &amp; Fils &lsquo;Brut Cremant&rsquo;&nbsp; from the Jura region in France. Jura, located in Eastern France, is known for its standout Chardonnay. This &lsquo;Brut Cremant&rsquo;, which means dry sparkler produced in France, outside of the Champagne region, is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The fresh pear, green apple with brioche, and creamy, nutty finish make this sparkler a must-try.

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: If you are looking for a rich, full-bodied red to pair with steak or lamb chops, consider the Tin Barn &lsquo;Pickberry Vineyard&rsquo; from the Sonoma Valley of California. These grapes are sourced from the single 30 acre &lsquo;Pickberry Vineyard&rsquo;. This highly rated Cabernet Sauvignon features ripe black cherries, plumb, and spice, with soft tannins and a lingering finish with notes of licorice. Sip this beautiful red while enjoying those richly sauced proteins and pasta dishes.

RT: 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: I am such a fan of the next wine for many reasons. To name a few, this white grape is crisp, crowd-pleasing, and always combines its excellent quality with amazing value. Consider the 2020 Domaine Lucien Jacob Aligote from Burgundy, France. The grape in this remarkable white Burgundy is Aligote, which exudes lemon and lime zest, gooseberry, and melon, with bright acidity, and a dry, mineral finish. A perfect companion to herbed cheese and seafood.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: Spain brings us many styles, varietals, and price points of their wines. A standout red Spanish wine to consider of exceptional quality and value, would be the 2020 Cruz de Piedra Garnacha from the Aragon region of Spain. This medium to full-bodied red is well balanced and features ripe raspberries and cherries, along with notes of clove, earth, and vanilla on the smooth finish, making this a food-friendly wine.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: If they still have this bottle available, consider the 2013 Turley &lsquo;Hayne Vineyard&rsquo; Petit Syrah from Napa Valley. Rated 96 points by both Vinous and Robert Parker, Turley&rsquo;s organically farmed Petit Syrah is truly a standout. Grown from vines planted in 1953, aromas of ripe blackberries, plumbs, fig, blackberry jam, along with black pepper, herbs, and rich, round tannins, this Petit Syrah is a special occasion on its own. Pair with steak, lamb, herbed dishes, and anytime you are looking to take your dining experience to the next level.

RT: Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate The Shore Club&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 an 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.

&nbsp;

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

Caymus is a family-owned winery that is known for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons in Napa Valley. The winery was founded in 1972 by Charlie Wagner and Lorna Belle Glos Wagner, and is now run by their son, Chuck Wagner. Caymus is dedicated to producing high-quality wines that showcase the unique terroir of Napa Valley. The winery is known for its rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons, which are aged in French oak barrels for up to 24 months.

Meson

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

BondST

Buenos Aires Restaurant

Buenos Aires

Meadowsweet

Casa Mono

Atera

La Cava

LAVO Italian Restaurant

Lavo

Quality Italian

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

Nando's North Vancouver (Lonsdale)

Available Wines
Total Wines - 6

Peller Estates

Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Grigio

Niagara Peninsula, Canada

Peller Estates

Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

Niagara Peninsula, Canada

Peller Estates

Pinot Grigio Sparkling NV

Pinot Grigio

Niagara Peninsula, Canada

McWilliam's

Shiraz - Cabernet JJ McWilliam NV

Blend

South Eastern Australia, Australia

Stormy Bay

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Western Cape, South Africa

KWV

Contemporary Collection Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot NV

Blend

Western Cape, South Africa