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Results of the inspection focused on burčák and partly fermented grape must (PFGM) in selling season 2021 showed a positive trend when only one sample failed to comply with legislation requirements after an assessment in the laboratory.

The inspectors of the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) carried out the total of 317 inspections of burčák and partly fermented grape must, within which 254 selling places were checked and 61 samples were taken for a laboratory analysis.

A comprehensive laboratory analysis carried out in the CAFIA accredited laboratory proved non-compliant parameters of one sample. Partly fermented grape must originating in Hungary containing non-compliant volume of alcohol was concerned.

Summary of both compliant and non-compliant samples assessed within the inspection activity is available on the Food Pillory website in Thematic controls section.

The inspectors further detected violation of legislation in 135 cases related, inter alia, to missing or invalid accompanying documents, inadequate record keeping, insufficient sales hygiene, etc. In 12 cases, inspectors found the commodity being offered as a burčák, however, the beverage did not originate from the Czech Republic.

The inspectors checked both sellers and producers, especially those whose samples had failed to comply with the requirements of legislation in the past, and also new sellers offering their products mostly at stalls. This sampling is also increasingly carried out on the basis of consumers’ suggestions.

In the previous season 2020, the inspectors took 59 samples, out of which 5 failed, in 2019, 61 samples were taken and 10 failed, in 2018 they took 44 samples, out of which 5 failed, in 2017, 51 samples were assessed and 7 of them failed, and finally 69 samples were assessed in the laboratory in 2016, out of which 4 failed to comply.

During the inspection of burčák and PFGM, CAFIA focuses, inter alia, on so-called sensory requirements – the inspector assesses taste, aroma and colour of the beverage on the spot as well as labelling of the goods for consumers, related accompanying documentation showing the origin of goods, and hygiene of sale. After a sample is taken, the CAFIA laboratory in Brno, by means of values of isotope ratio of stable isotopes of hydrogen measured on nuclear magnetic resonance and isotope ratio of stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon measured on mass spectrometer verifies the geographical origin of grapes from which burčák was made. Other parameters are also checked, for example presence of synthetic colour, ethanol from added sugar, amount of added water, alcohol or sulphur dioxide content, etc.

Burčák is a traditional denomination protected by national legislation of which use is authorised for partly fermented must produced from grapes harvested and processed in the Czech Republic in the given year and the selling season is limited by period starting on 1st August and ending on 30th November. A product of the same parameters but made from grapes harvested outside the territory of the Czech Republic could be sold under denomination “partly fermented grape must”, not burčák. Possible misuse of the traditional denomination – burčák is regarded as misleading of consumers. In such cases CAFIA initiates an administrative procedure and imposes fines.

Article by: Mgr. Pavel Kopřiva – CAFIA Spokesperson, phone: +420 542 426 633   

27^th January 2021