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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) evaluated the inspection of health safety, quality, correct labelling and observance of determined production technology of the cheapest table wines sold in plastic bottles or in boxes.

For the first time, CAFIA inspectors, in co-operation with the General Customs Directorate, evaluated wine inspection using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method. This method allows to prove botanical origin of the spirit present in the wine, and to identify whether it was produced using procedures determined by relevant legislation. For example, table wine originating in particular wine region may have, according to the Wine Act, only a specific maximal content of alcohol produced from the beet sugar. NMR method can prove the content of such alcohol.

In simple terms, if this maximal limit is exceeded, the wine could have either been sweetened with beet sugar, since it has been produced from unripe grapes, or another alcohol could have been added into the wine. Other possibility of wine adulteration is addition of so called picket, which is also sweetened during the production. Both practices are banned and such beverage is considered as mislabelled, because it cannot be labelled as wine.

Out of 17 different samples of table wines only three samples complied with detected parameters (less than 18%). Ten samples were found to be non-complying with sensory requirements, because they proved diseases and defects impairing the quality of wine. Seven samples were mislabelled, because they were produced using non-permitted technological procedures, labelling of another seven samples was misleading because indicated country of origin was not corresponding. Sensory examination proved that in six cases the wine was not produced from vine grapes. The majority of samples demonstrated more defects. None of the wines was harmful to health.

According to the Director General, Ing. Jaub Šebesta, many things have been significantly improved in the Czech and Moravian wine production during last years. Yet, there are wine makers who do not abide by the law and they believe that it is not possible to sanction them. “By this inspection we want to demonstrate that we can detect not only the adulteration of wine with water, but also other non-permitted practices employed in its production. Although the volume of production inspected is not significant, we do not want dishonest producers to damage the reputation of our viniculture.

Consumers buying cheap table wines have right to the corresponding quality. With respect to results of inspection and regarding the fact that NMR method used proved itself to be effective, CAFIA will continue to inspect wines, and not only table wines.