Increasingly, winemakers are using the ‘prooftag’: a security tool to ensure the authenticity of wine. It is a kind of certificate that can be used to check whether a bottle is authentic. Of course, this means is mainly used for the more expensive wines. There is then a sticker on the neck with a QR code that leads to the winemaker with which the buyer can find out certain information about the wine. Think year, appellation and details of the winemaker. Also, the number on the tag must correspond to number within the online environment at prooftag.com.
What is a prooftag?
A prooftag is a unique, hard-to-replicate identifier applied to the bottle. It can be in the form of a holographic sticker, a QR code, or another type of security label that is difficult to forge. Often, the prooftag contains several layers of security, such as microprint, special ink and optically variable ink. This should ensure that the tag cannot be easily copied.
Why a trial day?
First of all, the trial day helps consumers, sellers and producers verify the authenticity of the wine. This is especially important for rare and expensive wines, where the risk of adulteration is higher. In addition, the tag ensures traceability. Prooftags can be linked to a digital system that tracks the entire distribution chain of the wine. This allows one to track exactly where and when the wine was produced, bottled, and through which distribution channels it passed. Finally, the tag protects against adulteration. It becomes very complex for forgers to counterfeit the wine.
Winemakers protect their brand with a prooftag. Obviously to avoid reputational damage. But they also show their commitment to transparency. Consumers can find background information about the wine in an online environment. Commercial motives also play a role. For instance, a winemaker can increasingly see where the wine has been sold and location data of buyers can even be logged via prooftag.com. The traceability of wines is increased, and thus the logistics process can be optimised.
Probably the prooftag continues to gain popularity. Wine prices have consistently risen in recent years, and wine appears to have been an excellent investment. With that, winemakers, traders and consumers alike need to guard against abuse. The prooftag has proved to be an excellent tool in this regard.