{"api":{"host":"https:\/\/pinot.decanter.com","authorization":"Bearer ZjcwMTViYmFkY2RjZjQwOTY3NDQxNDdmOTI3ZjIxZWVjZGI2MDZjYjA2MTQ2ZDJkNjIxYzk4YTg5ODVmYmJjYQ","version":"2.0"},"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"6qv8OniKQO","rid":"RJXC8OC","offerId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","offerTemplateId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","wcTemplateId":"OTOW5EUWVZ4B"}}

Wine company, under investigation, changes name

The Bordeaux Wine Trading Company, a wine investment company under investigation by UK police, has reappeared under a different name.

BWTC is being investigated by the Economic Crime Unit of Hertfordshire police.

It is understood that the company has not fulfilled orders totaling £362,312

placed with BWTC by 13 customers.

One client was sold a case of 2005 Pétrus for £19,000 – some £5000 below cost. The client was told another customer ‘needed cash quickly due to an expensive divorce’.

Now BWTC has reappeared in north London using a new company name: First Growth Investments (FGI).

decanter.com understands FGI is selling Bordeaux 2007 en primeur, such as 20 cases of Château Margaux at £2645 – the going rate – including five years storage and insurance. It is not known whether any orders have been placed.

First Growth Investments was registered as a new company name on 23 April 2008. It is not a newly-registered company.

William Boyd, 25, is its sole director but decanter.com understands that Paul Craven, a former director of BWTC, was involved in negotiating the office lease.

The FGI phone is often answered in the name of the Bordeaux Wine Trading Company.

Written by Jim Budd

Latest Wine News