The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority has further results of analyses of this year's half fermented wine or partially fermented grape must available. The latter differs from half fermented wine by the only fact that it was made of grapes that were not grown in the Czech Republic.

Within the second round, 18 samples of half fermented wine and 1 sample of partially fermented grape must, which was made of grapes originating in Hungary, were analysed. In total, 6 samples failed to comply with the requirements laid down by the legislation. In 2 cases, the samples contained more than 50% of water, in one case, laboratories revealed that the products in question had not been produced of Czech grapes, even though that was declared by the seller. The beverage mentioned above had to be labelled as partially fermented grape must, not as half fermented wine.

However, the CAFIA laboratories revealed new and shocking methods of adulteration at 3 cases of red half fermented wine. Not only did the samples contain from 73 to 76% of water but also synthetic colourings such as azorubin (E122), brilliant black (E151), indigotin (E132) or yellow SY (E110) were detected. Even all four colourings were contained in one of these non-complying samples. Samples of this diluted and artificially coloured half fermented wine were taken at three various places of the country but the seller was always the same – company E.S.E., Ltd. based in Miroslav. The use of synthetic colourings during production of half fermented wine is not permitted by the legislation.

Consumers were misled in all six cases and an administrative proceeding with the sellers will be therefore initiated. Inspections and analyses will continue till 30 November till when selling of half fermented wine is permitted by the legislation.

The results of already second analysis of half fermented wine and partially fermented grape must are given here.