ASAE seized more than 22 thousand liters of wine — specifically 20,226 liters of red, white and rosé wine — during a surveillance operation carried out this week in the municipality of Gouveia. The intervention was conducted by the Regional Unit of the Center, through the Specialized Brigade of Wines and Wine Products, focusing on a producer-warehouse in the Beira region. The merchandise was already bottled, sealed, labeled and packed in shipping boxes, ready to be distributed through sales channels and public consumption.
The reason for the seizure was the violation of labeling guidelines, as the packaging completely omitted the mention of the geographical origin of the beverage. This omission represents a serious failure in food traceability required throughout the European Union, depriving the consumer of knowing the true producing region, the grape variety used and the qualitative classification of the product. Given the seriousness of the regulatory offense, the authority issued a report and initiated the corresponding sanctioning process against the economic operator.
The wine sector has a significant weight in Portugal's gross domestic product and in the image of national exports. According to ASAE's statement, the entry of batches with labeling defects compromises the integrity of the commercial circuit, generates competitive imbalances and represents a risk to consumer safety. The offender obtains an undue competitive advantage over producers who invest in certification processes and rigorous compliance with the requirements of the wine commissions.
ASAE announced that it will maintain the reinforcement of policing of warehouses, cellars and packing centers throughout the central region and the rest of the mainland territory, aiming to eliminate deceptive practices and preserve the international credibility of Portuguese wine heritage.
