The Italian police confiscated 750,000 litres of Prosecco from two producers because they had illegally added sugar for higher alcohol levels in base wine production. The two plants in Valdobbiadene and Refrontolo had already been searched by investigators in September, because the police had received indications of sacks with two tons of sugar near the fermentation tanks. The suspicion was confirmed, the police said.
Local police chief Vincenzo Nicoletti told the British newspaper "Times" that according to the investigations, sugar had been added to about a third of the seized Prosecco to increase the alcohol content. However, this was "strictly forbidden". The 750,000 litres must now be turned into vinegar. Due to the large harvest, the wine was also produced outside of the production volume permitted in the production area. "In the 2018 vintage, the producers produce on average 30 percent more than is permitted by the rules of the growing region."
(uka)