French Winemaker Sentenced for Counterfeit Champagne as Appeal Adds Uncertainty

Earlier this month, a court in Reims, France, sentenced former winemaker Didier Chopin, 56, to prison for his involvement in producing and selling hundreds of thousands of bottles of counterfeit Champagne. Chopin, who is from the Aisne region, received an 18-month jail sentence with an additional 30 months suspended. The court also imposed a €100,000 fine on Chopin personally and a €300,000 fine on his holding company.

Chopin’s lawyer confirmed this week that he will appeal the conviction. The announcement was reported by several French media outlets, including France Bleu. The appeal introduces new uncertainty into a case that has drawn significant attention from both the wine industry and the public.

During the trial, the court heard that Chopin orchestrated a scheme involving still wines sourced from France’s Ardèche region and Spain. These wines were flavored and carbonated with carbon dioxide to mimic the taste and appearance of Champagne. The fraudulent bottles were then sold as genuine Champagne. Authorities estimate that more than half a million bottles were produced between 2022 and 2023, though an exact number was not provided.

The Comité Champagne, the regional body responsible for protecting the Champagne appellation, joined the prosecution as a civil party. After the verdict on September 2, Charles Goemaere, managing director of Comité Champagne, stated that the ruling sends a strong message against attacks on the reputation and heritage of Champagne producers. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to defending the integrity of Champagne worldwide.

Chopin’s defense had previously argued for a fully suspended sentence. However, the court opted for a combination of immediate and suspended prison time along with substantial financial penalties.

This case comes at a time when French authorities are increasing efforts to protect the Champagne name and its strict production standards. In July, another high-profile trial in France resulted in convictions related to human trafficking among Champagne harvest workers. The Comité Champagne also participated in that prosecution, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy toward violations affecting the industry.

The outcome of Chopin’s appeal remains uncertain. For now, the case highlights ongoing challenges faced by French wine authorities in safeguarding one of their most valuable and internationally recognized products.