The reputation of South African wine has suffered a blow after one of the country’s top producers was found to have added illegal flavourings to its Sauvignon Blanc.
KWV has sacked two of its winemakers after an investigation by the country’s Wine and Spirit Board (WSB) found that two wines, Laborie Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004 and 2004 KWV Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, had been manipulated with flavourings.
Neither wine had reached the market and both were destroyed under WSB supervision.
The company has stressed that none of its other wines are affected, which in the UK includes the brands KWV, Robert’s Rock, Roodeberg and Laborie, and the actions were carried out by the winemakers without its knowledge.
Chief executive Willem Barnard said: “KWV’s value system and practices are aimed at ethical and legal production of wine. It is a traumatic incident for us, but we believe that it will serve as a serious warning and an example for other winemakers.”
Reader Panel: IGD Leading Edge members
KWV has sacked two of its winemakers after an investigation by the country’s Wine and Spirit Board (WSB) found that two wines, Laborie Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2004 and 2004 KWV Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, had been manipulated with flavourings.
Neither wine had reached the market and both were destroyed under WSB supervision.
The company has stressed that none of its other wines are affected, which in the UK includes the brands KWV, Robert’s Rock, Roodeberg and Laborie, and the actions were carried out by the winemakers without its knowledge.
Chief executive Willem Barnard said: “KWV’s value system and practices are aimed at ethical and legal production of wine. It is a traumatic incident for us, but we believe that it will serve as a serious warning and an example for other winemakers.”
Reader Panel: IGD Leading Edge members
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