Consorzio del Vino
Brunello di Montalcino®

Press release on seizure of wine bottles falsely labelled as Brunello di Montalcino

 

29/05/2014

Siena – 29th May 2104 – With respect to the seizure conducted by the Carabinieri of the Siena operational department, and in particular some thousand counterfeit bottles of Brunello di Montalcino, the Chairman of the Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino wine, Fabrizio Bindocci, stressed that, “although investigations are still ongoing, I can affirm without hesitation that the producers and the entire Montalcino territory are the victims of very serious fraud, a crime that must not cast a shadow on our DOCG production. For years, through the traceability of each single bottle and periodical, thorough controls on the entire segment, we have taken due measures to increasingly protect consumers and wine lovers. In no way must the seizure of the bottles overshadow these efforts. Like all prestigious designer labels, we are the natural victims of counterfeiting attempts. We are grateful to the investigating authorities whose activities have brought to surface this criminal behaviour that casts a negative light on a system which is, instead, acknowledged internationally for its reliability and ability to ensure stringent quality control. Obviously, interpreting the feelings of all producers, we will forthwith join criminal proceedings as a civil party seeking damages from those who committed this fraud.”