|
|
The trial of a 56-year-old man who allegedly stole over 7,000 bottles of Burgundy from his employers Joseph Drouhin and Albert Bichot over the past 15 years has begun in Dijon. The warehouse manager was filmed by a surveillance camera in February when he stole four bottles of wine directly from the cellar.
During a search of his home, the police found 7,000 bottles of wine stored in several cellars and in his mother's house. These included 1,285 Grand Crus from the Côte de Nuits and Vosne-Romanée Premer Cru. The wines came from Drouhin and Bichot. According to the public prosecutor's office, he only ever stole small quantities, so that the shortages were not noticed immediately. The accused stated that he had not sold or drunk any of the bottles. Rather, he had enjoyed sitting in his cellars and looking at them. Several people described the man's lifestyle as "modest and inconspicuous". However, he was "fond of collecting" and had a "kleptomaniac disposition".
The value of the bottles is estimated at 500,000 euros, which corresponds to an average price of 71 euros per bottle. This makes the case one of the largest wine thefts ever uncovered.
(al / Source: larvf)