We thought the wine sector was beyond reproach - apart from a few extreme cases - and yet the Competition Authority has just pointed out numerous irregularities…
5’000 concerned wine establishments
The Competition Authority has just revealed that there are numerous irregularities in the wine sector, ranging from the production to the marketing of wine : usurpation of grape varieties, adding water, presence of pesticides in organic wines, deceptive marketing practices, fraudulent use of an appellation of origin, non-compliant labeling… Everything goes there !
According to the DGCCRF, "Investigators have uncovered numerous anomalies both at the distribution, production and trading stages.. They concern false or prohibited geographical indications for wines without a geographical indication., falsification by wetting or false vintage, the sale of non-marketable wine, the overpressurization of sparkling wines, the presence of pesticides in so-called “organic” wines, deception on AOCs, the usurpation of famous names, the improper labeling of a mixture of European Community wines, or even false health messages ”.
Many warnings
The investigators were understanding in not revealing the names of the companies. They raised all the same 1011 warnings, 68 administrative police measures, 113 contentious procedures and 25 injunctions.
Many of the contraventions relate to non-compliance with labeling which can create consumer confusion. More surprisingly, many cases of non-compliance concern the lack of mandatory information : degree of alcohol, lack of display on prices, exceeding the maximum alcohol level.
In 30 % of cases detected, the non-compliance concerned the degree of alcohol, in 5 % of cases investigators have discovered the addition of water in wine - mooring practice —, and finally the presence of pesticides in organic wines in 4 % analysis.
The sector will remain under control
The Competition Authority warned that "the DGCCRF will take special care in the strict execution of the litigation requested by the investigators".
Jean-Nicolas Mouretin
- Unusual : 500’000 liters of wine volatilized in a cooperative cellar
- Vinovalie : conviction for making rosé with red and white
- Burgundy : when the expression “put water in his wine” makes sense
- Wine labels underestimate the degree of alcohol
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