Wine Law

Other regulations provided under the Act include the weighing of the grapes when harvested by a public weigher, who is expected to provide information not only regarding the weight thereof but also on the variety and origin of the grapes so harvested. The record kept by growers includes the annual quantities and different varieties of harvested grapes for wine- making, as well as the hectolitres of wine and of muted grapes held by the vintners, on prescribed forms made available by the Department of Agriculture. There is also regulation on the proper labelling of wines and wine-related products; on imported wines maintaining such information as to whether imported in bulk or by bottle, the grape’s variety and alcohol level thereof; as well as the establishment of a Wine Regulation Board, its composition, eligibility thereto and its functions. More importantly, the Act provides for a national inventory of wine growing potential. As already mentioned, the Act contemplates the mechanism for control as well as enforcement on the industry as to maintain the quality of wine production to the best possible. Indeed, the Act provides for judicial proceedings, instituted by the Director of Agriculture through the police, before a Court of Magistrates, for any offences under the Act and any person found guilty of breaching the provisions of the Act. These shall be liable to a fine of not less than 465.87 € and not exceeding 4,658.75 € 10 . However, this fine would be higher in the case of “ a person found guilty of a subsequence offence ” when in case of conviction, falling between 1,164.69 € and 11,646.87 € 11 . Additionally and as explained above, upon conviction, besides the fine, the Court of Magistrates may, on the request of the Director of Agriculture, “ revoke or suspend any registration issued in respect of the persons so found guilty, or the premises forming the subject of the proceedings. ” 12 . Extra fines of not less than 116.47 € per diem 13 shall be applied against the convicted person by the Court of Magistrates, “ from the date of conviction to the date when such person desists fromobstructing or causing obstruction or gives assistance or information required, as the case may be ” 14 . 10 Ibid , Article 26(1). 11 Ibid , Article 26(2). 12 Ibid , Article 26(3). 13 Ibid , Article 26(4). 14 Ibid , Article 19(f).