Wine and spirits producer KWV said on Monday that it has dismissed two winemakers who were found to be adding flavourants to Sauvignon Blanc.
KWV said the winemaker for its 2004 Laborie Sauvignon Blanc, Gideon Theron, and Ian Nieuwoudt, the winemaker for the 2004 KWV Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, were dismissed after it was established that they were guilty of manipulating two lots of the wines.
This follows an investigation by the Wine and Spirits Board (WSB) this year into the use of illegal flavourants in the winemaking process. Approximately 25% of all Sauvignon Blanc producers’ wines were tested.
KWV said it had co-operated fully with the WSB during the course of the investigation.
“KWV has distanced itself from the very beginning, together with the industry, from any illegal practices and acted immediately when it was informed of the finding. An urgent and in-depth investigation was launched,” the producer said.
“In addition to the tests undertaken by the WSB, KWV undertook independent analyses of all its 2004 Sauvignon Blanc wines.
“The samples for the independent testing were drawn under the audit supervision of PriceWaterhouseCoopers. These tests confirmed that two of the wines showed deviations. The WSB was kept informed throughout the process of these actions and results.”
The group said the two lots of wine were immediately isolated. One tank was destined for a later release of the 2004 Laborie Sauvignon blanc and the other lot was destined for the 2004 KWV Reserve Sauvignon blanc.
Both wines will be destroyed under supervision by the WSB, and neither had reached the market. Dr Willem Barnard, CEO of KWV, emphasised that the two wine makers acted on their own initiative — without authorisation, permission or a mandate — and that KWV had not been aware of the manipulation at any stage.
“KWV’s value system and practices are aimed at the ethical and legal production of wine,” he said.
“It is a traumatic incident for us but we believe that it will serve as a serious warning and an example also for other winemakers.”
“KWV is one of the foremost producers in the wine industry and realises its responsibility towards the industry. We believe, however, that our quick and decisive actions, together with our proven record of quality and achievements over many years, will result in continued support from both the industry and the market place,” he concluded. – I-Net Bridge