Majestic Wine sued 'for £50,000'

Wine writer Martin Isark has issued a writ against Majestic Wine, claiming damages believed to be in the region of £50,000.

The writ alleges that Majestic used a tasting note Isark had written on the 2000 vintage of Cuvée de Richard Vin de Pays de l’Aude, published in Scotland on Sunday in April 2001.

Isark alleges Majestic used the same tasting note – which according to reports amounted to no more than the two words ‘incredible value’ – without permission on the 2008 vintage, which he had never tasted.

The writer is suing Majestic for ‘false endorsements’ and ‘infringement of copyright’.

Isark’s London solicitors Simons Muirhead and Burton, first wrote to Majestic in May 2009 to complain about the misuse of the quote on the 2008 vintage.

The same quote had been used by Majestic on website promotions for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 promotions.

Majestic could not be reached for comment today.

Martin Isark declined to comment.

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Written by Jim Budd

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Jim Budd moved from education to wine in 1988 and has written for Decanter since 1989. He is the former editor (1991-2015) of Circle Update, the newsletter of the Circle of Wine Writers. He writes the award-winning www.jimsloire.blogspot.com and is one of the five members of the Les 5 du Vin blog. Budd exposes the dangers of drinks investment on his award-winning www.investdrinks.org website, and complementary www.investdrinks-blog.blogspot.com blog. He also contributes to Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book, Wine Behind the Label and the Academie du Vin. Budd is a keen photographer – especially in the Loire.