According to French media reports, a 56-year-old man has been accused of stealing bottles from various employers in the Beaune area over several years.
Earlier this month, French police arrested him under suspicion of stealing Burgundy wines after CCTV footage linked him to thefts at his most recent workplace.
A search of the suspect’s home revealed additional stolen wines. Reports from Dijon-based media outlet Le Bien Public suggest the man may have taken more than 7,000 Burgundy wines over a period of at least 15 years, with an estimated total value of EUR 500,000. The stolen bottles ranged in value from under EUR 100 to up to EUR 1,000 each. Although a non-police source hinted at as many as 10,000 bottles involved, specific wines or companies were not identified, and the suspect remains unnamed. State prosecutor Olivier Caracotch, based in nearby Dijon, stated to Agence France Presse that there is no evidence the suspect sold any of the stolen bottles. The case is expected to proceed to trial in the summer. Beaune, located in Burgundy’s famous Côte d’Or region, gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2015, underscoring its cultural and viticultural significance. The region’s prestigious wines have increasingly become targets for theft, driven by their scarcity and high resale value. Recent incidents of wine thefts include break-ins at fine dining establishments globally. Last year, a couple was sentenced for stealing fine wines, including top Burgundies, from Spain’s Atrio hotel and restaurant.
Source: Decanter