Cracking Down on Wine Frauds

Concerns are growing about counterfeiters in the wine industry, and at least some Napa Valley vintners are turning to high-tech fraud prevention so customers can feel confident they're taking home genuine wine.
       
California wine makers in the Napa Valley recently signed a deal with Eastman Kodak on a system that employs invisible markers added to inks and other packaging components.
       
"Our wine is essentially a luxury good and I do believe that these rare and collectible luxury goods are targets," says Anne Colgin from Colgin Cellars, whose ultra-premium wines can fetch hundreds of dollars U-S a bottle at auction.
       
With the new system, buyers at auctions and other secondary markets can ask the winery to scan their labels if they have any doubts, although the measures are primarily intended to put off counterfeiters.
       
Wine Spectator magazine has reported that some experts believe as much as 5 percent of wines sold in secondary markets such as auctions may be counterfeit. There have been cases of counterfeit wines reported in Europe and China.