The 105th China Food and Drinks Fair Autumn edition kicked off in Tianjin on October 15 (picture credit: Xinhua)

The 105th China Food and Drinks Fair Autumn edition kicked off in Tianjin on October 15 (picture credit: Xinhua)

Derided by trade professionals as "Disneyland of fakes", the scale of knockoffs seen at this year's Autumn edition of China Food & Drinks Fair in Tianjin is staggering. We have rounded up some of the worst offenders here from fake DRC to counterfeit Petrus.

Don’t blink! Castel or Catesle?

Catesle or Castel? (picture supplied)
Catesle or Castel? (picture supplied)

At a glance, you would think the French wine giant Castel group is presenting its new ranges at the food and drinks fair in Tianjin this week.

Closer inspection reveals not only it’s deceitfully spelt CATESLE but also the wine is from Sicilia in Italy, not France.

Again, this knockoff is distributed by Shanghai Feidisi Trading Company. The company in 2014 registered a trademark for CATESLE but was sued by the French wine group for trademark infringement. Earlier this year, its trademark of CATESLE was ruled invalid after more than six years of court battle.

It’s shocking how the company, which is the bad actor in at least two legal cases, still managed to exhibit at the wine fair without any ban or a shred of scrutiny.

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