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Last year, the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) paid close attention not only to the inspection of wine, but also to the inspection of half-fermented wine. Based on experience from previous inspections during which the CAFIA proved that many producers and sellers inspected were adding banned water to half-fermented wine and that they did not always observe the regulations, this time the inspection was carried out on a more extensive scale.

Within the whole Czech Republic the inspectors checked 123 sellers of half-fermented wine and took 25 samples of this beverage. During the sale inspection it was identified that hot and cold running water was lacking in four premises, in two premises half-fermented wine was sold in used PET bottles and that half-fermented wine was incorrectly labelled in two cases. A curious labelling was identified in Brno – “sour cherry half-fermented wine”. Such labelling is contrary to regulations, since half-fermented wine can only be produced from grapes. The majority of deficiencies were immediately or in a very short time remedied. The documentation inspection, however, ended up in administrative proceeding; the documentation was lacking in three cases, unregistered producers were disclosed in two cases, and in three cases the inspectors even identified imaginary non-existing producers. It is particularly in these cases where the CAFIA imposes sensible sanctions. During the inspection of kept records, determined by the law, the inspectors identified that 6 winemakers out of 25 inspected did not fully comply with determined requirements.

In comparison with previous inspections of so called “exogenous”, i.e. added water, the result of laboratory analysis was encouraging. Out of 25 samples of half-fermented wine and young wine only one case of water addition was ascertained. The water addition was, however, worth it: specialized Austrian laboratory found in half-fermented wine of the company VÍNO-VÍN Morava, s.r.o., Brno (Strážnice, Boženy Krejsové 1201) 80% of water. An administrative proceeding was initiated with the company.

The results showed that CAFIA´s procedure in previous years when rather considerable fines were imposed and when all wrongdoers were made public was correct. Similarly as for wine, “baptising” half-fermented wine with water is misconduct against professional discipline. Winemaker who “multiplies” half-fermented wine, young wine or even finished wine spoils the reputation of the Czech and Moravian viniculture. The CAFIA will therefore pay close attention to inspections of wine.

The outcome of the inspection of half-fermented wine and young wine producers are published at www.szpi.gov.cz (Czech version only).