Grape theft in Burgundy

There have been four separate reports of grape theft to the Beaune policeforce recently, a new record. Winemakers in the region have spoken of problems of theft with extra surveillance being employed. Burgundy is already facing a tough vintage after heavy frost and hailstorms earlier in the year. Some of the so called thefts may be innocent mistakes though. The region's patchwork of vineyard ownership means that accidentally picking someone else's grapes is a hazard of harvest. Some argue that the surveillance measures may be giving people the idea to steal grapes and others are trying to play down the media interest that has now arisen in the French media.