Classic Wines

Another Tool Against Counterfeit?

Scientists at the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research) have successfully conducted tests that will accurately identify the age of a bottle of wine. By measuring the x-rays that bounce off a bottle which is placed under a beam of ions, they can read a unique "signature" for that bottle of wine. They will then use this data and confirm it with "authentic" bottles that they have entered into their database after having tested them on certified bottles, presumably from the Chateau itself. This new test will increase the range of bottles it can test to well beyond the 1950 limit that most radioactive tests are limited to these days due in part to the lack of radioactive material in the atmosphere prior to our nuclear age, which began in the late 40's and wasn't really detectable until the early 50's. This is an interesting bit of joint technology in that it was spurred on by a London-based fine wine dealer, The Antique Wine Company, who deals in fine rare wines, and does not wish to fall victim to anything resembling a Rodenstock fiasco. But this test is only a partial tool at best. It can effectively date the bottle, but not the juice. This test would thereby, presumably, allow Mr. Rodenstock's infamous '29 Petrus bottling to test negative for tampering, as it has been largely assumed he used proper bottles but filled them with close, if not authentic, wine. But one key to this test that has people looking at it at least from a front line viewpoint is that you can get a yes or no on it without having to pop a cork. This is what people are looking for, an easy way to verify the contents without having to give up any for testing. Unfortunately, to test the wine itself, we are drawn back to the Cesium 137 test, which is prohibitive due to cost, and will likely only be used when the sums of money can justify its use. In a related note, eprovenance.com is in a pilot testing phase with nine Chateaux in Bordeaux and two Paris retailers, offering an RFID product that will track temperature of the bottle throughout its life, a device that has a few importers, retailers, and distributors nervous, as they will now be under the gun for the responsibility of maintaining proper temperature long the journey of a bottle while it is under their care. And if that wasn't enough, InkSure Technologies has signed a deal with Eprovenance for distribution of their "covert ink technology" which can be only be read by an InkSure proprietary machine. Gone are the days of photoshopping some DRC labels in your basement. If you want to counterfeit, you better step up your game tech-wise, or low ball you game wine-wise.