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'Fine wine' hoard highlights China's problem with fakes

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BBC News - 'Fine wine' hoard highlights China's problem with fakes


Police in China have discovered 10,000 bottles labelled as one of the world's most expensive wines in a deserted house.

If authentic the haul of Chateau Lafite Rothschild would be worth £10m ($16m), but police believe it is fake.

Chateau Lafite is very popular with China's new rich and 50,000 bottles are imported from the estate each year.

Police say it's unlikely that a fifth of that total would have been stored in one deserted suburban villa.

The house is in the eastern city of Wenzhou, south of the financial hub, Shanghai.

It is reported to have had good security and to have been guarded by dogs.

Its owner, Mr Zhou, told police he had been surprised to learn that his house, unoccupied for nine years, was being used to store wine. He has denied any involvement.

The authorities hope the discovery will hold clues to an underground workshop

Analysts say that 70% of bottles of Chateau Lafite sold in China are fakes. The estate has fought and won six lawsuits against Chinese companies over fine wines.
 
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The pic gives a perspective on how expensive these bottles are - This is not Chateau Lafite Rothschild but a Chateau Mouton Rothschild - 1896 bottle. Price - $19,000(took the picture at a package store in NJ) .

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76-carat diamond put for auction


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The magnificent gem combines an impressive size of 76.02 carats, perfect color and internally flawless clarity.

Jean-Marc Lunel, senior specialist at Jewellery Department of Christie's, said due to its cut, shape, color and clarity, Archduke Joseph was certainly to be one of the most important and precious diamonds ever presented at auction.

This spectacular diamond origin is traced to the ancient Golconda mines in India, the source of the world's most coveted historical diamonds, including the Koh-i-noor, in the Royal Collection at the Tower of London, and the Regent, considered the finest diamond in the French Crown Jewels.

According to Lunel, this diamond has been officially recorded as the property of the Archduke Joseph August of Austria, Palatine of Hungary (1872-1962), and was subsequently named after him.

76-carat diamond put for auction - China.org.cn
 
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