Five Brunello producers implicated in fraudulent wine scandal reports Italian daily La Repubblica.
According to a report published today by the Italian daily La Repubblica, five Montalcino wineries are being investigated for adding “Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, [and/or] Petit Verdot” to their Brunello (appellation regulations require that Brunello be made from 100% Sangiovese grapes). The article erroneously attributes the initial reporting of the investigation to wine writer James Sucking’s blog. News of the investigation was first published by VinoWire editor Franco Ziliani on Friday, March 21, 2008 (read post in Italian here). Suckling did publish a post later in the day where he refers to “rumors” of irregularities.
The following is a translation of the report published today by La Repubblica (translation by VinoWire):
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The case: “doctored Brunello,” seizures at five wineries… Brunello cut with other grapes, regulations for Italy’s most famous wine broken by combining other grape varieties with Sangiovese in the bottle. Prosecutors in Siena investigate top Montalcino producers for fraud. Treasury and Labor Departments have already seized vineyards, cellars, and bottles.
The hypothesis is that those producers used between 10 – 20% of grapes other than Sangiovese in their Brunello. According to appellation regulations, the wine must be made from 100% Brunello grapes. They are suspected of using different grapes – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot – and sacrificing hectares historically used for the cultivation of Brunello.
Investigators believe that the operation began in 2003 (this vintage was released for sale in 2007). Three or four persons from each winery have been investigated. The intention was perhaps that of producing a softer wine, more appealing to certain palates, like American palates. The first to report the investigation was a blog published by the noted American magazine Wine Spectator. The blog reported that the wine used to doctor the Brunello arrived from the south. But this has been ruled out by investigators. [the blog post in question, by James Suckling, refers to “rumors” that southern Italian wine has been blended with Brunello; but he clearly states that he believes such claims to be unlikely – editor’s note]
– Michele Bocci
Filed under: News
I simply don’t buy the angle that the Brunellos aren’t blended with southern grapes. Such practice is rampant and always has been. It’s often the source of humor and an open secret.
Anyway, whether there is Puglian wine in the Brunellos, I suppose the fact that the producers are gaming the system is reason enough for outrage. Another indication that the prices are ridiculously high.
Any idea of when (or if) they are going to reveal which wineries were found guilty?
To my knowledge, no official reports have been made as to which wineries are involved. La Nazione did publish an article confirming that Col d’Orcia was inspected:
http://lanazione.quotidiano.net/siena/2008/03/27/75509-indagine_brunello.shtml
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Hi – I’m not exactly sure what this has to do with wine (that’s what I was searching on MSN when I saw a link here), but I’m glad I got a chance to read your blog. Thanks!!
did they release the guilty wineries?
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This should be called Ruinello
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When a US beef producer offers “Choice” or “Prime” cuts, he
has to obey a set criteria. The label helps you make a choice.
When a winemaker follows the same rules, there is not a problem. However, when the guidelines are altered, the rule of greed has taken over.
More and more, greed replaces, heritage, pride, savvy,
culture, idealism, and eventually satisfaction.
When we don’ t know the ryhme or reason for the action of
some one else, we don’t cry, we ask why????
We don’t have all the answers but we share a communion
in how we feel things could be. United!
Hi. I repeatedly announce this forum. This is the oldest period undisputed to ask a ridiculous.
How multitudinous in this forum are references progressive behind, artful users?
Can I depute all the communication that there is?
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