BOURNEMOUTH trading standards have seized a large amount of counterfeit wine from shops in Bournemouth.

Replicas of Jacob’s Creek wine, totalling 51 bottles, were found in three newsagents in the area and it is believed there may be many more still out on the shelves of other off-licences and shops.

The labels on the bottles look convincing to the eye and it is only when you look at the back of the bottle that the mis-spelling of ‘Australia’ is the only give-away.

Zara Fulmar, senior technical officer, says the product is not harmful should it be drunk. She said: “The content has been tested by Pernot Ricard, who make Jacob’s Creek and it’s not a danger to the public. It’s safe to drink, it just doesn’t taste very nice.”

“But only a real Jacob’s Creek connoisseur could tell that it’s a sub-standard bottle of wine.”

It is the first time that a sizeable amount of counterfeit alcohol has been found and taken away for investigation by trading standards in Bournemouth.

Andy Sheriff, Bournemouth trading standards manager, said: “It’s an ongoing investigation, where we are always scrutinising the alcohol trade and the traders. Our next step is to formally interview traders who were found with the wine on their premises and find out why they had it and where they got it from. If they are then found to have knowingly bought counterfeit goods, we will take the necessary steps leading to prosecution.”

“It is disappointing to see another product being found which is counterfeit, but the main thing is that people are aware of this and alert us if they believe a product to be fake.

“The same goes for the traders if they notice something unusual about the product, then we can put them onto someone who can give them further advice. Obviously then, if it’s an innocent mistake, then we may be able to help the traders get their money back.”

“We are aware that the chances are there is a lot more of this out in the shops and so we ask people to check the labels.”

Bournemouth Trading Standards can be contacted on 01202 451400.