A Guide to Wine, Food & the Good Life
To subscribe and be notified anytime we post a new article, enter your email address in the box below, then click on Subscribe Now.

Underground Wine Line

Similar Articles:

  1. Vintage Tastings – A Day at the Tilsons
  2. Vintage Tastings – A Top Ten for 2023
  3. ED LAZARUS - ONE OF A KIND
  4. JIM CLENDENEN REMEMBERED
  5. STUPID WINE DESCRIPTIONS
  6. DENNIS FOLEY, RENOWNED FIGURE IN THE WORLD OF RARE WINE, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 74
  7. STUPID WINE DESCRIPTIONS
  8. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!
  9. SURPRISE WINNING WINE IN THE INTERNATIONAL WINE TASTING COMPETITION OF THE CENTURY
  10. WINE & TRUTH
  11. 2018 STUPID WINE DESCRIPTION WINNERS
  12. ATTENTION WINE DRINKERS: THIS BUD’S FOR YOU!
  13. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
  14. BURGUNDY 2018
  15. WHAT DO NUMBERS HAVE TO DO WITH IT?
  16. THE ROSÉ PARADE
  17. BOOK ON ROBERT LAWRENCE BALZER PUBLISHED BY UNDERGROUND'S CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CHRISTINE GRAHAM
  18. A NATIONAL CONTEST TO SEE WHICH 100 POINT WINE WRITER HAS THE MOST CREATIVE WINE DESCRIPTIONS
  19. 2017 STUPID WINE DESCRIPTION WINNERS
  20. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!
  21. NEWS FLASH – HAS FAKE NEWS TAKEN OVER THE WINE GAME?
  22. 2016 STUPID WINE DESCRIPTION AWARD WINNERS AND MORE!
  23. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!
  24. BURGUNDY – 2016 VISIT
  25. YIKES! THE 1000 POINT WINE SCORE IS HERE
  26. CHAMPAGNE DAY 2016
  27. OUTSTANDING OLD MARSANNAY ROSÉS
  28. A MONTE BELLO TOAST TO PAUL DRAPER
  29. THE PERILS OF FARMING – MOTHER NATURE DEVESTATES BURGUNDY
  30. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME OF YEAR IT IS ON THE WINE CALENDAR?
  31. THE DAILY MEAL WINERY AWARDS
  32. STUPID WINE DESCRIPTION OF THE YEAR?
  33. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!
  34. ENCORE: DEAR SANTA, WE’VE GOT A LITTLE LIST
  35. BACK TO THE FUTURE
  36. A VIEW OF THE 2015 BURGUNDY VINTAGE IN ADVANCE OF THE ANNUAL UNDERGROUND WINELETTER TRIP TO BURGUNDY TO TASTE THE 2014S
  37. I HATE TO TELL YOU “I TOLD YOU SO” BUT “I TOLD YOU SO!”
  38. WHAT’S IN YOUR WINE GLASS?
  39. MORE ON BIB WINE
  40. THE JUDGMENT OF MOSCOW
  41. ROSÉ WINES AND THE GREAT ROSÉS OF PROVENCE
  42. A SHOT OUT OF THE BLUE: WE HAVE A NEW ENTRY IN THE WINE INGREDIENT LABELING DERBY
  43. PREMOX: “WHEREFORE ART THOU?”
  44. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!
  45. PREVIEW: ALONG THE BUGUNDY TRAIL VINTAGE 2013
  46. CAUTION! WHAT’S IN YOUR WINE?
  47. FOR THE LOVE OF ROSÉS
  48. THE BEST WINERIES IN AMERICA - THE TOP 4 ARE FROM CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST!
  49. STOP THE PRESSES! THERE IS A NEW SCORING SYSTEM!
  50. WINE WRITING – WHAT IS IT?
  51. POLYESTER WINES
  52. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!
  53. THE UNDERGROUND IS BACK!
  54. CALLING TIME OUT
  55. ROSÉ - IT’S TIME HAS COME
  56. ARE NUTRITIONAL LABELS COMING TO ALCOHOLIC DRINKS?
  57. THE BLENDING GAME: ROSÉ & MORE
  58. ATTENTION ALL WINE CONSUMERS: WINE INGREDIENT LABELING IS HERE!
  59. EXCLUSIVE NEWS FLASH!
  60. THE GREATER FOOL?
  61. DOMAINE ALBERT GRIVAULT
  62. TASTING WINE VS. DRINKING WINE - IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
  63. A PAIR TO DRAW TO & A GUIDE FOR WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN WINES THAT ARE FOOD FRIENDLY, BALANCED, AND CAPABLE OF AGING FOR AN EXTENDED TIME
  64. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!
  65. THE UNDERGROUND HISTORY AS WE BRIEFLY LOOK BACK AND THEN CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
  66. BYE BYE BIG KAHUNA
  67. A LOOK AT NV CHAMPAGNE – IS IT REALLY DIFFERENT THIS TIME?
  68. FAKE WINES IN CHINA - THE BEAT GOES ON
  69. 2011 BURGUNDY – THE SURPRISE VINTAGE
  70. THE MARRIAGE BLEND
  71. LOOKING FOR OLD WINE WITH IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE?
  72. WINE FRAUD AND A WINE DETECTIVE - THE STORY OF DON CORNWELL
  73. HISTORIC VINEYARD SOCIETY
  74. DON’T GET YOUR KNICKERS IN A TWIST!
  75. THE BLENDING GAME - IS IT TIME FOR THREE BUCK CHUCK?
  76. EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN DYING TO KNOW ABOUT NEWLY RELEASED CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS!
  77. COUNTERFEIT WINE AND THE ROLE OF CHINA
  78. THE JUDGMENT OF PRINCETON
  79. WHEN TO TASTE, DRINK, & ENJOY YOUNG WINES & WHAT ABOUT ROSÉ?
  80. THE VINEYARD OR THE WINEMAKING? WHAT REALLY MATTERS?
  81. BLENDING GAME PREVIEW
  82. PREDICTING THE FUTURE!
  83. AMATEUR NIGHT AT THE WINE FOLLIES: THE ANSWER WAS LYING IN PLAIN SIGHT
  84. THE PERFECT WINE?
  85. ATTENTION COSTCO WINE SHOPPERS: WHEN IS A ROSÉ NOT A ROSÉ?
  86. NAPA VALLEY WINES – JUST WHEN I THOUGHT WE HAD SEEN EVERYTHING!
  87. THE WINE FRAUD STORY – THE BEAT GOES ON!
  88. DO WINE AND TOILET PAPER HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?
  89. WINE JUSTICE STRIKES!
  90. FOODIES FIGHTING FOR FOIE!
  91. CALLING ALL WINE INVESTORS
  92. ONE WINEDRINKER’S OBSERVATIONS OVER NEARLY 30 YEARS: TWO FACES OF FRAUD? MORE TO COME?
  93. NEWS FLASH -- NEW ALCOHOL WARNING LABELS FOR WINE MAY SOON BE ISSUED!
  94. ROSÉ IS THE PERFECT ANTI WINE
  95. AN ENIGMA WRAPPED IN A RIDDLE – CAN AN UGLY DUCKLING BECOME A SWAN?
  96. STOP THE WINE PRESS! THE FBI HAS MOVED TO STOP WINE FRAUD!
  97. 2004 WHITE BURGUNDIES: PREMOX OR NOT? THE BEAT GOES ON!
  98. GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS
  99. WHAT’S ULLAGE GOT TO DO WITH IT? - THE CURIOUS CASE OF 1928 LA GAFFELIÉRE NAUDES
  100. LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE!
  101. WINE FRAUD – LIGHTNING STRIKES!
  102. WINE FRAUD – CAVEAT EMPTOR!
  103. BIRDS OF A FEATHER - LAUGHABLE WINE DESCRIPTIONS
  104. TIS THE SEASON!
  105. WHAT’S IN YOUR WINE BOTTLE?
  106. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!
  107. A NEW WINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS THAT HAS EVERYONE BUZZED
  108. WHAT IS A WINE CONSUMER TO DO?
  109. IS IT DRINK NOW AND PAY LATER? YOU BET YOUR SWEET BIPPY, BUT BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!
  110. BE THE MASTER OF YOUR DOMAIN!
  111. TAKE A DIFFERENT VIEW THAT IS EASY ON YOUR PALATE AND ON YOUR WALLET
  112. ALONG THE BURGUNDY TRAIL - OCTOBER 2011
  113. Z IS FOR ZINFANDEL
  114. A NOTE FROM DARRELL CORTI
  115. THE BIRDS ARE STILL FLOCKING – WATCH OUT BELOW!
  116. SOME MORE BIG HOUSE RELATIVES PAY A VISIT TO THE UNDERGROUND
  117. WINE & CLOSURE
  118. YIKES! THE TIDE MAY BE GOING OUT SOON! WHO’S SWIMMING NAKED?
  119. WHAT IS WINE?
  120. HALLELUJAH!
  121. BLENDING GAME -- BLENDING MAN TO THE RESCUE
  122. HEARD ON THE GRAPEVINE
  123. NOW APPEARING AT A STORE NEAR YOU - DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA STARRING MALBEC & TORRONTES
  124. BLENDING PARTY – A NEW TWIST – FLASH DASH – WHAT'S IN YOUR GLASS?
  125. BBBB TRIBUTE
  126. OMG - IS IT THE END OF THE WORLD OR NOT?
  127. TAKE THE WINE CHALLENGE - BLENDING IS YOUR FRIEND!
  128. THE BORDEAUX ROAD AHEAD - A BUBBLE, A SPEED BUMP, OR BLISS?
  129. HERE AT LAST – BEYOND 100 POINTS – NIRVANA!
  130. BIRDS OF A FEATHER…
  131. FLASH! BIG NUMBERS WINE CRITIC ISSUES REPORT ON 2009 BEAUJOLAIS
  132. SPÄTBURGUNDER – WHAT IS IT?
  133. PINOT GRIS. IT'S FOR ME. DO YOU KNOW PINOT GRIS?
  134. THE BEAT GOES ON AND ON … “SUM YUNG VINE” X 2
  135. AND THE BEAT GOES ON…
  136. 100-POINT WINES – GET ‘EM WHILE YOU CAN!
  137. STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE!
  138. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! IT'S TIME TO GIVE THANKS AND ENJOY FOOD AND WINE!
  139. WOW! 2009 RED BURGUNDIES. STAY TUNED!!
  140. TIME TO GET INTO BEAUJOLAIS!
  141. A BARGAIN AT WHAT PRICE?
  142. VINOUS DRIVE-BY -- IT'S THE DRIVE-BY SIP AND SPIT!
  143. WINE TASTING OF THE MILLENNIUM
  144. ANSWER TO WINE TASTING OF THE MILLENNIUM
  145. PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
  146. DEAR SANTA, WE'VE GOT A LITTLE LIST
  147. THE UNDERGROUND IS BACK!
  148. WHY THE “UNDERGROUND” WINELETTER? ARE WE TERRORISTS?

WINE FRAUD AND A WINE DETECTIVE – THE STORY OF DON CORNWELL

John Tilson • 10/3/12        Print This Post Print This PostComment Bookmark and Share

 

BACKGROUND

This article  begins by detailing the background of wine fraud as reported by the Underground. This is a lead in to the story of Don Cornwell who has emerged as one of the foremost detectives in investigating and ferreting out wine fraud. This story was reported in an article by Dan Collins in the Huffington Post’s new magazine, Huffington. The link to that piecs is at the end of this article. It is a fascinating read!

The Underground first wrote about wine fraud nearly 30 years ago before there was any interest in the subject.  Like many other things in the wine world, the Underground was way in front of what was going on with wine fraud. One of my wine predictions from last year was “The wine fraud issue will surface again driven by the disclosure of evidence from the ongoing lawsuits alleging wine fraud. The Underground was the first publication to speak to this subject and we will have more to say later.” (To read all the predictions from last year click here).  The first online wine fraud story was published in January of this year (to read that article click here).   The plan to publish the article in several parts was interrupted by the news only a few weeks later of possible fraudulent wines coming to market (to read that article click here).  And, only a month later there was news of a FBI investigation into wine fraud and the subsequent arrest of Rudy Kurniawan (to read that article click here).  That entire story was covered extensively in several subsequent  Underground articles (to read the latest article click here).
The remainder of the Underground wine fraud article will follow later this year and will cover more of its historical evolution as viewed from the Underground during the period of the 1980s and 1990s.

 

 

DON CORNWELL – WINE DETECTIVE

Over the years of increasing wine fraud, several other people have joined the original members of the Underground (Edward Lazarus, Geoffrey Troy, and me) who wrote about wine fraud in the first Underground article.  These other people also came to the conclusion that there was indeed wine fraud and that it was increasing. One who took up the cause is Los Angeles attorney turned wine detective, Don Cornwell. I have known Don for some time, having first met him many years ago. He conducts White Burgundy tastings to monitor the terrible premox problem (to read my article on premox click here) .  You can follow Don’s findings on premox where he lists the wines most impacted by premox by clicking here.   But, like a dog on a bone, Don has really sunk his teeth into the wine fraud issue. He identifies possible fraudulent bottles and then shouts out his findings to anyone who will listen. He was instrumental in identifying many fraudulent bottles including the ones that are detailed in the February Underground article on possible fraudulent wines coming to market.  Recently Dan Collins wrote an article entitled  “In Vino Veritas?  Inside The World of Bogus Wine,” which chronicles  Don’s story. To read that story click here. (Also, If you would like to view the Huffington Post’s new magazine, Huffington, available only via I-Pad or I-Tunes software, where this article was originally published, click here).
Don Cornwell is one of the new wave of wine detectives. He is to be commended for his diligence and expertise. May all those who seek out and identify wine counterfeiters drink only the finest wines. And may all wine counterfeiters rot in a vat of really bad wine!

In Vino Veritas,Sig

John Tilson

Post a Comment

2 comments for “WINE FRAUD AND A WINE DETECTIVE – THE STORY OF DON CORNWELL”

  • scatter hitam says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    You could definitely see yohr expertise in the article you write.The sector hopes for more passionate writerslike you who aren’t afraid to mentiin how they believe. All the time follow yourheart.
  • nutty putty cave google earth says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    Hello, i feel that i noticed you visited my blog so i got here to “return the want”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my web site!I guess its good enough to make use of a few of your ideas!!
  • Gianna Schoenrock says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    Attractive element of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to claim that I get actually loved account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your feeds or even I success you get admission to constantly rapidly.
  • Rentar auto en Bogotá says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts about corporate bankruptcylaw. Regards
  • Julian Blackford says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    It’s onerous to find knowledgeable individuals on this subject, however you sound like you recognize what you’re speaking about! Thanks
  • Antione Mcchristian says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    I think this is among the most important info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
  • Israel Hulshoff says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thx again
  • Hayden Greenhaw says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    Excellent site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your sweat!
  • Gennie Ivy says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
  • Jodie Coe says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for newbie blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
  • Post a Comment

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published.