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Wines Tainted With Pesticides

Large majority of bottles in study contain hazardous substances

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 4, 2008 1:51 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A large majority of European wines are tainted with pesticides and other toxic substances, a study by a consortium of environmental groups has found. Thirty-four of 40 bottles sampled, including grands crus from some of Bordeaux's most prestigious vineyards, contained hazardous pesticides, the Telegraph reports. But of the six organic bottles tested, five were clean.

In recent years, winegrowers have relied increasingly on synthetic chemicals to ward off pests, but the compounds found in the study can cause cancer, disrupt hormone production, or produce genetic mutations in humans. Although none of the bottles tested contained illegally high levels of any one pesticide, scientists are concerned about the "cocktail effect" of several substances intermingling in one bottle.

A vineyard in St-Emilion. A study by a consortium of environmental groups found that European wines are systematically contaminated with pesticides.
A vineyard in St-Emilion. A study by a consortium of environmental groups found that European wines are systematically contaminated with pesticides.   ((c) access.denied)
A cork from a Bordeaux grand cru. A study by a consortium of environmental groups found that European wines are systematically contaminated with pesticides.
A cork from a Bordeaux grand cru. A study by a consortium of environmental groups found that European wines are systematically contaminated with pesticides.   ((c) Nils Geylen)
A study by a consortium of environmental groups found that European wines are systematically contaminated with pesticides.
A study by a consortium of environmental groups found that European wines are systematically contaminated with pesticides.   ((c) filtran)
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Full results of the study
Pesticides Action Network Europe

The growing market for organic wine
Globe and Mail

 
wine • pesticide • Bordeaux • organic wine

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