25,000 bottles of wine seized in Newport

More than 25,000 bottles of Italian red wine have been seized by customs in Newport, south east Wales, in a crackdown on alcohol smuggling.

Corte Dorata Syrah

According to the BBC, the haul at a container storage site in the docks area included 25,175 bottles of Corte Dorata red wine.

Corte Dorata produces a number of different wines, including a Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Grigio Rosé.

The brand makes wines in Sicily, Abruzzo and the Veneto regions in Italy.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said the haul, also including 67,000 cigarettes and 92kg of tobacco, evaded duty worth around £90,000.

A van, tractor unit and trailer were also seized in the raid but no-one has been arrested.

“Smugglers care little for the quality of the product they sell, and they have no qualms about selling to children,” Keith Morgan of the customs’ criminal investigation branch said.

“I would urge anyone offered alcohol at knock-down prices to steer clear,” Morgan added.

The wine has been moved to a secure location.