The establishment was selling wine from mainland Spain with labelling that referenced the island

The Director General, Joan Llabrés, stated: “In response to these complaints, we act with the utmost speed to prevent unfair competition against our local producers.”

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, through the Food Quality and Control Service—part of the Directorate General of Food Quality and Local Products—has seized 114 bottles of wine in a restaurant in Menorca for suspected labelling fraud. The establishment was selling wine bottled in mainland Spain that referenced Menorca on its labels without being covered by the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) “Vino de la Tierra Isla de Menorca.” Inspectors visited the establishment following a complaint by the Island Council of Menorca and confirmed that the bottles lacked the official PGI seal and control number.

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The Balearic Government Seizes 114 Bottles of Wine in a Menorca Restaurant for Suspected Labelling Fraud

Additionally, the inspection confirmed that the bottle labels also referenced mainland Designations of Origin such as DO Rioja and DO Alella, further proving that the wine was produced and bottled outside the island. The restaurant had commissioned a mainland winery to bottle the wine for them.

Joan Llabrés, Director General of Food Quality and Local Products, emphasised that only wines produced under the PGI “Vino de la Tierra Isla de Menorca” may use the name “Menorca” on their labels. He added that “in such cases, the Directorate acts as quickly as possible to avoid unfair competition against our producers and to prevent consumer deception caused by these practices.”

The regional government also reminds that violations of current regulations may lead to administrative penalties, with serious offences punishable by fines ranging from €3,000 to €60,000.