Ep 2. Reign of Terroir

In Rotten season 2 episode 2, "Reign of Terroir," the focus shifts to the world of wine and the sometimes shady practices that take place in the industry. The episode examines the concept of terroir, the unique set of environmental factors that give a wine its distinctive flavor, and how fraud and mislabeling can undermine the integrity of the entire system.

The episode explores the story of Rudy Kurniawan, a wealthy wine collector and dealer who made a name for himself in the industry by selling rare, high-end bottles at exorbitant prices. Kurniawan claimed to have access to some of the rarest and most sought-after wines in the world, and his reputation skyrocketed as he became a fixture on the auction circuit.

However, it was soon discovered that many of the bottles Kurniawan was selling were in fact counterfeit. He had gone to great lengths to create labels and even fill the bottles with cheap wine to pass them off as high-end products. The episode delves into the staggering amount of money that was exchanged in this fraudulent enterprise and the impact it had on the wine industry at large.

The episode also explores the role that terroir plays in the wine industry and the lengths that some winemakers will go to in order to ensure that their products are labeled accurately. Journalist Bianca Bosker visits a winery in California that specializes in producing wines from unique microclimates, which give their products a distinctive flavor and character. Bosker explores how the winery works to maintain the integrity of their wines and the lengths they will go to in order to ensure that their products are labeled accurately.

The episode also examines the broader issue of mislabeling in the wine industry and the challenges that regulators face in trying to combat fraud. As reporter Edward Yeung discovers, many of the wines that are sold in the United States are actually imported from other countries and then re-labeled with misleading information. Yeung speaks with officials from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, who are responsible for regulating the wine industry, to learn more about their efforts to combat fraud and protect consumers.

Overall, "Reign of Terroir" is a fascinating and eye-opening look at the world of wine and the sometimes shady practices that take place in the industry. The episode highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in the labeling of wine, and the need for regulators, producers, and consumers to work together to ensure that the integrity of the wine industry is maintained.