Where is the wine? Big question still unanswered Theft of 45 special wine bottles from the hotel-restaurant Atrio de Cáceres by The couple was arrested in Croatia this week After a tough investigation by the National Police, who believe the man, an expert thief and wine expert, already knows “who” to plant a special loot.
The two famous sommeliers Efe meets and one of the most important private wine collectors in Spain coincide with the police hypotheses and go even further. Pointing out Mexico, Venezuela and Asian countries as possible destinations for Atrio’s wines, in their hands, they suspect, private millionaires driven by arrogance those who want to show their friends or customers that they have copies that are impossible to find on the market.
i think so Rafael Ansonthe old president Royal Spanish Academy of Gastronomyis the owner of one of the most important private wine collections in the country and a big supporter of haute cuisine. He believes the robbery at the two Michelin-starred restaurant owned by Toño Pérez and José Polo was commissioned. “It gives the impression that someone has seen the bottles before and had them stolen”. At least 45 pieces worth 1.6 million Euros, including “Jewelry”, one Chateau d’Yquem 1806, 310,000 Euros.
With him, two travel bags and a backpack Constantine Gabriel Dumitru48 years old, of Romanian origin and Dutch passport, Priscilla Lara GuevaraA 28-year-old former Mexican lady calmly walked out of the door of two Michelin stars in the early hours of October 27. Montrachet Grand Cru 1999 Magnum25,500 euros and 38 copies Romanee Contiwhich were offered 12.000 € in the letter.
“The bottles are very difficult to place, they are very special”Says David Robledomanager Allard Group Y National Gastronomy Award for Best Sommelier in SpainWho couldn’t believe how they got so many bottles out of those backpacks so easily and worried about their conservation status. He even believes that they may be in a secret location after being commissioned by some. “eccentric”.
Rafael Sandoval The sommelier of the Coque restaurant points to Venezuela and Mexico. Even to Efe this week A Mexican client passionate about wine and exclusivity offered him a blank check for his treasure. most Trafalgar carboy from 1805.
“There are people who want what no one has”underlines Sandoval, who explains that Romanée Conti is the most valuable in the “supercollection” market. They bought 38 copies of Atrio.
for Anson, Buyers of the black market for wine are basically individuals or business people Those who want to smother their friends or customers with bottles that even producing wineries don’t have on hand. “There were more in Russia before, now there are many Asians,” says also the president. Iberoamerican Academy of Gastronomy.
three wine lovers They find it difficult for Atrio bottles to return to their cellars, but the police will continue to work to save them. From then on it’s a “good” “burns” in the hands of thievesAccording to the chief investigator of the Burglary Theft Group of the Specialized and Violent Crime Center Unit (UDEV) in Madrid, together with investigators from Cáceres, no perfect robbery and sooner or later the thief would fall.
The wine is more difficult to find, as not a single drop has been found at the moment, with police still working on it, awaiting the detainees to be transported to Spain and taken to court in the next few days. disposal of the court of Cáceres, which instructed the case.