Decanter World Wine AwardsCzech producer in fraud probe
- Wednesday 5 January 2011
The Czech Agricultural and Food Inspection (CZPI) has asked the police to investigate Templárské sklepy Cejkovice for selling more than one million litres of wine – supposedly 2009 Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc – from grapes of unknown origin.
The company is also alleged to have prevented inspectors from investigating the premises.
In its turn, Templárské sklepy has taken the case to court in the hope of getting a ruling in its favour.
The Czech wine producer, according to CZPI spokeswoman Petra Hoferková, purchased more than 1.25m kg of grapes from grape supply company Bj Vitis.
Templárské sklepy spokesperson Svatopluk Bartík told Decanter.com the grapes originated from vineyards in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic, from producers accredited by the Czech Ministry of Agriculture.
Bartík added that CZPI should not have provided details of the case to the media until a verdict had been reached.
Hoferková told Decanter.com that ‘giving this type of information is fully in accordance with Czech legislation.’
Have your say!
ricardo
January 08 11:27
some good sparkling wines produced in czech though
Petr
January 20 09:02
This article is rather confused and shows author´s lack of deep knowledge in this affair. CZPI acts against Templárské sklepy illegally in many ways. The Czech wine producer kept all duties demanded by law. The CZPI´s proceedings in this affair show evident signs of intentional chicane and interest to destroy this company. Beneath this acts there is apparently higher interest of competitive companies...
Jan Marecek
January 10 08:20
I am sorry for the reputation of Czech viticulture. It will take a time to recover from this tough blow!
Mojmír B.
January 10 00:26
Only corruption and unfair competition on the Czech market. Nothing else.