In Lombardy, the Italian public prosecutor's office has again uncovered a new wine scandal. The investigations of the "Operazione Dioniso" concentrate on the Canneto Pavese cooperative in Oltrepò Pavese, according to a report by the "Wine Industry". A total of 28 raids have been ordered in Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Trentino.
The inspectors had found out through the cellar register that 1.5 million litres more wine had been sold than was officially produced. The difference had been covered up with a forged harvest documentation. In addition, inferior and illegally produced wines are said to have been classified as DOC, IGT and with organic certification.
Two grape producers from Canneto Pavese were ordered to report to the police. One of the oenologists thus under house arrest is Aldo Venco, vice president of the regional section of the renowned winemakers' association Assoenologi. The public prosecutor's office in Pavia is investigating them on suspicion of commercial fraud, falsification of wine and documents and the formation of a criminal organisation. Five people have been placed under house arrest. Among them are the president of the cooperative Alberto Carini, the vice-president Carla Colombi, two oenologists of the winery and a wine merchant.
(uka)