Fake Pinot Noir sold to the US

Another wine scandal has emerged, this time involving fraudulent wine made in the Aude region of Languedoc-Rouissillon, after the regional wine office spotted a discrepancy in the figures of Pinot Noir production and exports. Over 120,000 hectolitres of Vin de Pays d'Oc has been sold and exported to the US over the last four years, falsely-labelled as Pinot Noir. The Aude region only produces 50,000 hl of Pinot Noir a yere but the wine fetches double the standard price for red wine from the region.

The wine was sold to the US via negociants and wine companies but it is not clear where in the chain the fraud took place.

Although there have been no formal charges made, a trial is expected.