CHAMPAGNE HEIST

Apparently, even thieves have Champagne tastes. More than three and a half thousand bottles of Champagne worth €3OO,OOO (US $388,OOO) have been stolen from acclaimed grower Jacques Selosse in an extremely well-organized heist. The Avize-based domain lost well over 5% of its average annual production in the raid. Stolen bottles included the Initial cuvee, a blend of three vintages of Chardonnay, and Exquise, a Demi-Sec, each of which cost €57 (US $74) per bottle. The top-of-the-line Substance Blanc de Blanc, made from multiple vintages, at €112 (US $145), was also among the stolen bottles that had been packaged into palettes for a shipment scheduled to leave for the US and Japan. Of equal concern to the domain was the theft of some 16,OOO labels and 12,OOO neck labels, which could lead to the production of counterfeit bottles. Domaine Jacques Selosse produces some 57,OOO bottles of Champagne annually.