Ukrainian authorities have opened a criminal case into the alleged uncorking of a 240-year-old bottle of wine for Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, in Crimea.
The director of the Massandra winery - which was run by the state of Ukraine until Crimea was annexed by Russia last year - has been accused of embezzlement for allegedly opening a 1775 bottle of sherry, valued at $US100,000 ($A139,400) to $US150,000, the Centre for Journalistic Investigations said on Wednesday.
The bottle, a Spanish Jerez de la Frontera, was one of five remaining at the winery since it was founded in the 19th century, according to the report.
It is unlikely that the director, Yanina Pavlenko, will find herself in a Ukrainian court anytime soon, as Russia has full control of Crimea.
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