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In 2017 inspectors of the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) assessed the total of 1,524 samples of wine. Out of this number 275 samples failed to comply with requirements of legislation, which represented 18% of the assessed samples.

Compared to the previous years, results of the CAFIA inspections carried out in 2017 showed significant decrease in the number of the non-compliant samples of wine and also in the proportion of non-compliant samples detected. In 2016, CAFIA inspectors assessed the total of 1,436 samples of wine, out of which 561 of samples failed to comply with legislation (39%), in 2015 1,536 samples were assessed, out of which 531 samples (35%) failed, and in 2014, 1,041 samples were assessed and 452 samples (43%) failed, while in 2013 the total of 1,134 samples were assessed and 415 samples failed (37%).

Results also showed a decrease in the number of wine samples at which the analysis proved adulteration (serious violation of oenological procedures). In 2017 the inspectors detected the total of 34 samples of adulterated wines (20 samples failed due to presence of synthetic aromas). Relevant laboratory method was accredited in 2017, this kind of violation was not detected in the previous years, in 2016, CAFIA found 34 samples of adulterated wines while 83 samples in 2015, in 74 samples in 2014, and 121 samples in 2013.

The lowest proportion of non-compliant samples was detected in the category of bottled wines originating in the Czech Republic, where 5.7% of assessed samples failed to comply and laboratory analysis proved adulteration in 0.1% of all samples only. As regards bottled wines originating in other countries, 23% of assessed samples failed to comply.

“It is preliminary to talk about a significant improvement of the situation on the market in this moment, the conclusion can be made only after a longer time period. However, the data from 2017 show a trend which we would like to keep in the following years as well by continuing in our targeted effort and also due to the amendment to the Act on Winemaking”, Martin Klanica, CAFIA Director General, said.

The situation on the market with wine was recently affected, inter alia, by the increasing pressure by CAFIA (e.g. due to introduction of new laboratory methods) and amendment to Act No. 321/20014 on Viticulture and Viniculture. From the point of view of CAFIA, the amendment includes a few key tools to reduce the black market with wine: (1) notification and storage duty applied to imported bulk wine and further wine products, of which import shall be notified to CAFIA by the importer since 1. 4. 2017 and (2) regulation of the sale of bulk wine, which since 1. 1. 2018 clearly provides for responsibility for the quality and safety of bulk wine enabling the sale by registered sellers and consignees only.

The amendment to the Act did not cause decrease in the number of wine shops, as was of the concern of some operators. On the contrary, the number of entrepreneurs operating wine shops who comply with the registration duty at CAFIA increased compared to the previous year and CAFIA now keeps records of no less than 5,700 wine shops.

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

28^th February 2018