Court convicts 12 in Pinot Noir fraud scheme
(AP) — A French court has convicted a dozen wine merchants and wine growers for selling and exporting fake Pinot Noir in a lucrative fraud scheme. A leading U.S. wine merchant in the case says he may appeal.
Among others, the fraud victimized California-based giant E. & J. Gallo Winery.
Claude Corset, head of the wine merchant company Ducasse and a leading defendant in the case, told The Associated Press on Thursday that his wine was "irreproachable" and reserves the right to appeal.
A court in Carcassonne, in southwest France, handed him a six-month suspended prison sentence and a €45,000 ($61,000) fine.
Prosecutor Francis Battut said Thursday that Merlot and Syrah grapes were passed off as Pinot Noir in a scheme dating from January 2006 to March 2008.
Newsday's 2026 high school football fantasy draft Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra and his staff choose their top picks in the annual fantasy draft.
Newsday's 2026 high school football fantasy draft Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra and his staff choose their top picks in the annual fantasy draft.
