Counterfeiters Tripped Up By Poor Spelling

Fri., March 20, 1998

Associated Press

A misspelling of the word “pour” and other label discrepancies led to the discovery of counterfeit bottles of Australia’s most famous wine, Penfold’s Grange Hermitage.

Six fake bottles of the 1990 vintage were presented at Melbourne wine dealer Langton’s two weeks ago for valuation, Southcorp Wines Pty. Ltd., the owner of Penfold’s, said Wednesday.

The fakes were spotted when auctioneer Stewart Langton noticed discrepancies on the labels.

The 1990 Penfold’s Grange Hermitage was named Wine of the Year by the U.S. magazine Spectator, and currently sells for up to $330 a bottle.

Federal and state police are investigating the counterfeit, Southcorp spokesman David Combe said. No arrests have been made.

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Counterfeiters Tripped Up By Poor Spelling

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