On the scent of a wine scandal

2003-11-14 09:32

Yvonne Beyers

Cape Town - The South African wine industry is buzzing after allegations that some of the country's wine producers are using illegal synthetic flavouring agents to give extra aroma to their wines.

These products are allegedly bought at wine festivals and are available on the internet. The Liquor Product Act prohibits the use of these substances.

The wine and spirits board has already ordered an investigation.

Jakob Deist, chairperson of the board, says these allegations pose a threat to the wine industry and "the opposition may misuse it."

Where there's smoke

Questioned about the validity of the allegations, he said: "Where there's smoke, there's usually fire."

Michael Fridjhon, wine expert and former chairperson of the South African wine industry trust, questions the aromatic flavours in some top white wines.

He told Die Burger that there might be a possibility that artificial products were being added on a large-scale to local savignon blanc wines.

"It's not easy to cultivate a sauvignon blanc with a fruity flavour, because harvesting of sauvignon blanc grapes happens in summer here, and these grapes are sensitive to heat and lose their aroma if exposed to warm weather over a long period.

"The warmer a region, the more improbable it is that a sauvignon blanc wine with a natural fruity aroma will be cultivated there."

Bought 'under the table'

Fridjhon says synthetic flavouring products are regularly bought "under the table" at wine festivals.

"The bigger a wine farm is and the more grapes are bought from several suppliers, the greater the possibility that fruity aromas won't be obtained without the assistance of synthetic flavouring agents."

Charl Theron of the University of Stellenbosch's department of viticulture says synthetic flavouring agents are freely available. "The products are marketed openly on the internet. One can buy any flavour."

The allegations of synthetic flavouring agents follow the sentencing of a Paarl farmer earlier this week who was found guilty of adding artificial sweetener to wine.

The wine industry in Austria was dealt a severe blow a few years ago when it was discovered producers added anti-freeze products to their wine.

André Morgenthal, communication head of Wines of South Africa, says there's no scientific evidence to support the allegations.

"These allegations must be investigated to prevent damage to the wine industry. The integrity of the South African industry must be protected."

- Die Burger