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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA), as part of its ongoing intensive inspections of quality and safety, identified four batches of white wine on the market where laboratory analysis carried out in the accredited CAFIA laboratory in Brno confirmed adulteration in three cases through the unauthorized addition of water and in one case through the addition of synthetic glycerol.

The following products are concerned:

• Viňa Mercedes Chardonnay 2023, producer: Bodegas Fernando Castro S.L., 13730 Santa Cruz de Mudela, country of origin: Spain. Batch marked L-09.12.24 was sampled from the retail network of Albert Česká republika, s.r.o.. Laboratory analysis confirmed the unauthorized addition of water.
• VIŇA MERCEDES, CHARDONNAY, 2023, producer: Bodegas Fernando Castro S.L., 13730 Santa Cruz de Mudela, Ciudad Real, country of origin: Spain. Batch marked L-30.09.24 was sampled from the retail network of Albert Česká republika, s.r.o.. Laboratory analysis confirmed the unauthorized addition of water.
• Viňa Mercedes Sauvignon Blanc 2023, producer: Bodegas Fernando Castro S.L., 13730 Santa Cruz de Mudela, country of origin: Spain. Batch marked L-09.12.24 was sampled from the retail network of Albert Česká republika, s.r.o.. Laboratory analysis confirmed the unauthorized addition of water.
• IL MARISCAL CHARDONNAY, producer: R.E. CLM-D-851/CR/ES, country of origin: Spain. Batch marked L-01.07.2024 was sampled from the retail network of BILLA, spol. s r.o.. Laboratory analysis confirmed the unauthorized addition of synthetic glycerol.

CAFIA inspectors ordered both inspected entities (Albert Česká republika, s.r.o. and BILLA, spol. s r.o.) to immediately withdraw the above-mentioned batches from the market.

CAFIA will initiate administrative proceedings with the inspected entities concerning the imposition of a fine.

Glycerol is a natural component of wine, formed as a by-product during fermentation. The amount of glycerol depends on the yeast used and on the temperature during fermentation. However, the addition of synthetic glycerol to wine, as well as the addition of water to wine, are unauthorized oenological (winemaking) practices.

Wine produced using unauthorized oenological practices is subject to destruction, and inspectors applied this measure to the batches concerned.

Article by: Bc. Marek Bartík, Media Communication Officer