Champagne fraud sees French winemaker on trial

A French winemaker is on trial in Reims for allegedly selling up to 1.8 million bottles of counterfeit Champagne between 2022 and 2023 by passing off carbonated still wine from Spain and sourthern France labelled as the real thing.

Didier Chopin, 56, admitted injecting CO₂ into still wines from Ardèche and Spain, bottling them in the Marne and labelling the bottles as Champagne. He faces charges of fraud, misuse of the appellation and theft of a protected brand name. The Comité Champagne, the trade body safeguarding the AOC status, joined the case as a civil plaintiff.

Chopin claimed he was under immense pressure from retail giant Leclerc to produce low-cost Champagne, but the court appeared unmoved. His defence did little to justify the scale of deception.

Prosecutors are seeking a four year sentence, fines of €100,000 and a permanent industry ban. Chopin’s wife may also be fined and suspended. He also faces further trials, including allegations of customs fraud and sexual assault. A verdict is due on the 2nd September 2025.