ASAE has seized 16 bottles of “Barca Velha” wine from the 1981, 1985, 2000 and 2004 harvests, as well as two bottles of “Pêra Manca” from 2008, which could total around 10,000 euros.

These Portuguese wines, ranked among the best in the world, were counterfeit and were being sold online and bottled auctions in Lisbon and Leiria.

The investigations also detected fakes of “Barca Velha” from 2000 and 2004, whose average market value is around 600 euros per bottle, and from 1981 and 1985, with values ​​of 400 euros per bottle. Fake packaging was mixed with genuine bottles.

The Food and Economic Security Authority, through its National Information and Criminal Investigation Unit, has been carrying out investigations, throughout this year, in view of the authenticity of “Barca Velha” (Sogrape) and “Pêra Manca” wine bottles (Eugénio de Almeida Foundation) that are being sold and in circulation in the market. The investigations were directed to the Crimes of Merchandise Fraud, Sale and Circulation of Counterfeit Goods.