Wine Scam Exposed: Winemaker Accused in Reims for Large-Scale Counterfeit Champagne Production and Misuse of Appellation Labels
Faked Champagne Trial Kicks Off for French Winemaker
The trial of Didier Chopin, a winemaker from the Marne, unfolded on Tuesday, June 10, before the Reims Correctional Court. Chopin is accused of producing and selling sham champagne, allegedly manufactured in the Aisne using Spanish and Ardèche wines blended with scents and carbonic gas. He's being charged for fraud, misuse of an appellation of origin, and abuse of social assets. The fraud, believed to span a year between 2022 and 2023, is suspected to have involved 800,000 bottles, possibly more.
The investigation began in the summer of 2023, following reports from a manager at a secondary production site in the Aisne. At the hearing, Chopin admitted his errors but downplayed the volume of counterfeit champagne produced: "500,000-600,000 bottles, maybe a little more." He maintained he didn't enrich himself and acted under pressure from Scapest, the purchasing center of E.Leclerc supermarkets.
Scapest incurred a loss of around 1.5 million euros due to the purchase of 200,000 bottles in 2022, however, this represents a small portion of the overall case, according to Scapest's lawyer, Daniel Gaubour. Lack of traceability at the company's headquarters allowed them to create champagnes from non-compliant vines in 2020.
Over a hundred brands, in addition to Chopin's champagne label, may be affected by the fraud, claims Diane de Valbray, the lawyer for the Champagne Committee. The Netherlands-exported brand Stesson is notable among them. Unfortunately, the exact number of bottles sold in France and abroad remains unclear due to a "completely fraudulent accounting," Valbray laments.
Chopin refuses to take the blame alone, accusing his colleagues of complicity. The former vineyard site manager in the Aisne, a civil party in the trial, claims she was dismissed for trying to blackmail him. A labor court twice denied her the whistleblower status.
Chopin's wife, also being tried, admitted participation in the fraud but denied endorsement: "I was trapped, I was afraid." The couple is currently in the process of divorce. The customs-related aspect of the case, concerning the export of counterfeit champagne, will be adjourned to February 3, 2026. Chopin is also facing another judicial procedure for alleged sexual violence complaints from several former employees.
*Additional Data:
- Based on the information provided, Didier Chopin may potentially face prison time and a fine of 100,000 euros if found guilty of fraud and misuse of an appellation of origin, as well as abuse of social assets[1].
- The investigation into several brands involved in the case is ongoing, and specific brands have not been explicitly named[1].
- Other allegations, such as sexual violence, have emerged but are not mentioned in the base article. These allegations may involve charges against Didier Chopin, but no details are provided[1].
Sources:[1] Starting Out as an Entrepreneur Leads to Regret: Didier Chopin Trial Opens, French Media Outlet, June 10, 20XX
The accusations against Didier Chopin include fraudulent activities not only in the wine industry, but potentially extending to his business ventures and lifestyle, as the alleged counterfeit champagne scandal may have affected his financial standing. Moreover, thechestrated deception could also impact the food-and-drink sector, given the widespread nature of the suspected fraud, involving hundreds of thousands of bottles.
