French and Chinese wine authorities are collaborating in an effort to fight counterfeit bottles and educate Chinese consumers and importers.

The Bordeaux wine trade body (CIVB) has been making random visits to Chinese supermarkets and wine shops in order to compile a database of false bottles, which has been passed on to Chinese investigators.

“This is so that they can see links between companies that sell those false bottles and where those bottles may have been produced in China,” says Thomas Jullien of the CIVB.

“The Chinese authorities want to establish links between importers and producers because they need proof that a product is false. They appreciate our help,” he added.

US government economists at the Department of Homeland Security estimate that 8% of China’s gross domestic product (GDP) comes from the sales of counterfeit goods, from wine to designer clothing.