Selinko and Toppan launch new protection against wine bottle refilling

Selinko, the object identification platform for authentication, grey market detection and consumer engagement, and Toppan Printing have collaborated to launch an innovative device allowing detection of any attempt to remove, tamper with or even pierce the cork of a wine bottle.

The device combines a state-of-the-art Toppan sensor coupled with an RFID/NFC tag and powered by Selinko’s platform and a mobile application for authentication and consumer engagement

The device combines a state-of-the-art Toppan sensor coupled with an RFID/NFC tag and powered by Selinko’s platform and a mobile application for authentication and consumer engagement. The sensor is located on the top of the bottle, below the capsule, and can detect any attempt to remove, tamper with or pierce the cork.

By tapping the NFC tag located on the bottle neck with an NFC-enabled smartphone, a wine connoisseur can verify if the bottle is genuine and access extensive information on the winery, the grape and many other matters relevant to the specific bottle. Consumers can easily confirm that the cork has never been removed, tampered with or pierced since initial bottling by a clear message on the mobile app, thus confirming the integrity of the bottle’s content. After normal opening, the NFC tag will still provide updated information about the producer.

The digital certificate contained in the NFC tag is protected by an encryption technique certified against the highest worldwide certification standard (Common Criteria EAL5+ level—the same as the level of security in biometric passports and bank cards).

This device provides efficient protection against the problem of bottle refilling, an increasing threat to the wine industry as, according to experts, counterfeit wine accounts for some 20 percent of international sales. Patrick Eischen, Selinko CEO, commented: ‘Selinko recognizes an advantage by collaborating with Toppan. The Toppan device offers strong protection against bottle opening, bottle reuse and cork piercing. Selinko’s application allows easy control by professionals and direct authentication by consumers which guarantee them a higher value for their bottles.’

This device simultaneously offers enhanced customer engagement channels for wine makers, and Hideo Yoshikawa, president of Toppan Europe, added: ‘Selinko’s platform allows a range of innovative marketing services enhancing the consumer experience, such as, but not limited to, loyalty programs, community and news services, store locator and one scan buy (facilitating reordering via a simple tap). Brands can also access big data scan activity reports in real time to increase consumer intelligence.

‘Based on a rich heritage of more than 100 years of experience in banking security, Toppan is proud of its innovative anti-counterfeiting device, which, together with Selinko’s application, offers a secured and direct communication path between wine connoisseurs and prestigious wine producers.’

The first customer, Domaine Emmanuel Rouget in Burgundy, has adopted the technology to protect its Grands Crus and Premiers Crus from counterfeiting by maintaining the integrity of the closure. Domaine Emmanuel Rouget produces wine very highly rated and keenly sought after by connoisseurs worldwide. Smart bottles of its 2014 vintage hit the market in late 2016. On top of content integrity, the system chosen allows to assign a target market at production for each bottle. By tapping a bottle, the consumer becomes the final and most reliable indicator in Rouget’s traceability chain. All information supplied by the scan is sent to a secured platform, which can identify any deviations from the geographical area initially assigned to the bottles.