A suspended sentence of six months in prison and fines have been requested by the public prosecutor in the case of a Côtes du Rhône wine co-operative charged with fraud.

Twelve infractions were noted at La Cave de Tain l'Hermitage by the local fraud squad (DDCCRF, Direction Départmentale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes) during a 2004 inspection.

Charges include mixing of wines of different appellations, different vintages and changing of labels.

In total 3,000 hectolitres of wine were falsified, 20% of which was sold. The rest was seized by the fraud squad.

Final judgement is due on 12 January.