Latest news with #EuroWeekly
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Tourists issued warning over 'rip-off' wine scam taking over European holiday hotspots
A sneaky wine scam is making a comeback in bars and restaurants across popular European holiday destinations, with experts warning it could cost unsuspecting tourists far more than just their money. Wine 'repotting' involves staff quietly collecting unfinished glasses and bottles of wine left behind by customers, mixing the contents together, and reselling it as high-end varieties such as Rioja, Chablis, or Albariño. The mixed wine is often poured into generic, unlabelled bottles and passed off as premium products - sometimes at eye-watering prices. The scam has been reported in tourist hotspots across Spain, Italy, and France, particularly in Paris, but similar incidents have also emerged in parts of the US and Asia. Insiders say the scam is often set up at management level, with restaurant owners and managers instructing staff to carry out the practice to discreetly increase profits, as reported by by EuroWeekly. Speaking to French newspaper Le Parisien, one veteran waiter said: 'When it's quiet, we collect the leftovers from open bottles and present them as a "superior" white wine.' A wine expert who joined the publication's investigation added: 'You couldn't tell a rioja reserva from a generic red unless you really study the body and the fruity notes.' Experts further warn that the scam goes beyond the loss of money - it carries potential health risks, too. A 'sneaky' wine scam is making a comeback in bars and restaurants across popular European holiday destinations, with experts warning it could cost unsuspecting tourists far more than just their money Wine repotting involves staff quietly collecting unfinished glasses and bottles of wine left behind by customers, mixing the contents together, and reselling it as high-end varieties such as Rioja (pictured), Chablis, or Albariño With no control over what goes into the mix, customers may be unknowingly consuming wine with undisclosed or unidentified additives or allergens. People with sulphite sensitivities, intolerances or allergies may be especially at risk. Though local food and drink regulators have stepped up inspections in cities like Paris, enforcement remains inconsistent in busy tourist areas where customer turnover is high. The scam is particularly prevalent in high-footfall areas where visitors may be unfamiliar with local wine labels or pricing, and therefore less likely to notice when something is off. Wine experts have since advised travellers to take simple precautions to reduce the risk of being served repotted or counterfeit wine, as highlighted by EuroWeekly. Order a full bottle When dining with others, opt for a full bottle rather than individual glasses. Reputable restaurants will present the bottle at the table and open it in front of you, making it harder to tamper with. Inspect the bottle Insiders say the scam is often set up at management level, with restaurant owners and managers instructing staff to carry out the practice to discreetly increase profits When dining with others, opt for a full bottle rather than individual glasses. Reputable restaurants will present the bottle at the table and open it in front of you, making it harder to tamper with Ensure the label, cork, and capsule match the wine you ordered. Watch out for signs of previous use or relabelling. Check the appearance Hold the glass up to a white surface. If the colour seems off - for example, a pale greenish tint in a white wine - don't hesitate to question it. Use your senses A quality wine will have a balanced aroma and flavour. If it smells harsh, overly boozy, or tastes flat and acidic, it could be a repotted mix. Be cautious with cheap happy hours Ultra-cheap 'by the glass' wine specials, especially in tourist-heavy areas, are more likely to involve repotting. It may be worth spending a little more for a bottle you can trust.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Panic on UK bound Ryanair flight after fire alarm chaos leaves 18 injured
Some passengers leaped from the plane's wings to escape when panic erupted on a Ryanair flight. Eighteen passengers were injured after a fire alarm went off onboard a UK bound Ryanair flight waiting to take off from Palma de Mallorca Airport in the early hours of Saturday. EuroWeekly reports the blaze, which started just after midnight, sparked panic among those on board, with some terrified passengers jumping from the aircraft's wings onto the tarmac in a desperate attempt to escape. Six of the injured were taken to hospitals on the island, while the remaining 12 were treated at the scene for minor injuries, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The plane was scheduled to depart from Palma to Manchester Airport when the alarm was set off. Emergency services rushed to the scene, activating a major incident response protocol due to the risk of mass casualties. Two Advanced Life Support and two Basic Life Support ambulances were dispatched, alongside airport firefighters and members of the Civil Guard. Despite some chaotic scenes, most passengers were evacuated in an orderly manner through the aircraft's emergency exits. However, footage shared on social media showed panicked travellers leaping from the plane and abandoning their belongings in the rush to safety. Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion and fear, with many saying they were unsure what was happening as smoke began to spread through the cabin. The evacuation took place via emergency exits located above the wings, forcing some to jump from a considerable height to the ground below. One passenger wrote on TikTok: 'It was absolute chaos. People were screaming and climbing over seats to get out. We didn't know if the plane was going to explode.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Ryanair has said the flight was discontinued due to a "false fire warning." A replacement flight left Palma at 7.05am. The incident is the latest in a string of concerning events for the budget airline, which operates hundreds of flights between the UK and Spanish holiday destinations each week.
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Daily Record
Holidaymakers in Spain shouldn't bring one Euro note that's 'no longer accepted'
If you're buying cash to take on holiday, avoid one note. A growing number of holidaymakers will use cards to pay for meals, drinks and trips while abroad, but it makes sense to have some currency on you too. Cash can be used to pay for smaller purchases, taxis and bus fares and in places where cards are not always accepted. Brits heading to Spain will need to take Euros, but they are being alerted to one particular note they shouldn't take with them. That's because there has been some changes regarding Euro banknotes. Those holidaying in mainland Spain, the Canary Islands or the popular Balearic Island shouldn't withdraw €500 notes. The Bank of Spain and the European Central Bank ceased prodction of these in 2016, according to EuroWeekly. While there are still a small amount of these notes - which are purple - in circulation, they are becoming harder to spend. The notes are still legal tender but the high value of them, along with their links to criminal activity, means many Spanish establishment are refusing to accept them. If you given one when exchanging currency, you should ask for smaller denominations. If you draw one from an ATM while on holiday, you can exchange it for smaller notes in a bank, reports Bristol Live. Spain's change in policy is coinciding with peak tourists season. They are implementing a gradual withdrawal of old and damaged banknotes which could also cause issues for tourists. Some cashiers and places may refuse to accept any notes that are worn or torn. To prevent this happening, when exchanging your holiday money, make sure any €50 notes are in good condition, and ask for replacements if you spot any damage. Worn notes can be swapped at any Bank of Spain branch or selected partner banks, but don't forget to bring some form of identification like your passport. The central bank of Spain has also started the process of removing old and damaged €50 notes from circulation. This initiative, expected to begin in July 2025, is designed to improve the security of cash transactions and reduce fraud. They won't exchange counterfeit or deliberately damaged notes. For those who usually toss their spare change into a jar after a holiday, it's worth bearing in mind that some countries might soon do away with one and two cent Euro coins. Countries such as Ireland, Belgium, and Italy have already ceased using these coins, rounding up cash transactions to the nearest five cents instead, and they're no longer being minted. Many Eurozone countries are contemplating following suit. So, if you've amassed a jar full of coppers, think about spending them on an ice cream during your next holiday, as they may not be accepted in the near future.
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ryanair must refund £124 to passenger over hand luggage charge, court rules
The court ruled that the passenger's carry on bag was 'essential' for air travel in what's being seen as a 'huge precedent' A Spanish court has ordered Ryanair to refund a passenger £124 after she was charged five times for taking basic hand luggage on flights between 2019 and 2024. The hearing in Madrid heard that the airline's extra charges for standard carry-on bags were in violation of Spain's consumer protection laws. And the award against the budget airline could set a precedent for thousands of customers who have been hit with the same fees. Consumer groups are already urging others who have fallen foul of Ryanair's policy to make moves to claim their money back. The Irish airline is known to have some of the strictest baggage rules and it's not the first time they've seen a courtroom battle over hand luggage charges. Euro Weekly reports that in 2019 the same court branded the airline's hand luggage charges 'abusive." At that time, they ordered a €20 refund after a passenger was told to pay to bring her carry-on. The judge also determined that Ryanair's hand luggage fees should no longer be levied in the country. Despite that, the carrier has refused to change its rules and continues to rake in money from those who don't adhere to their policies on it. And in October, the airline was fined and ordered to repay legal fees for two customers who argued they had been unfairly charged for theirs. The passengers, who had paid for four flights with the carrier, complained that at check-in the airline charged them an additional €96 for 'carry-on baggage.' Their lawyer argued Ryanair was in breach of Article 97 of Spain's Air Navigation law. It states that airlines are 'obliged to transport not only the passenger, but also, and without charging anything for it, the objects and hand luggage that they carry' with them'. Their lawyer Isaac Guijarro said after the ruling: "It shows Ryanair can't get away with treating passengers like walking ATMs." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. In response Ryanair backed its hand luggage policy. A spokesperson for the airline said: 'Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a generous (40 x 25 x 20 cm) personal bag on board as part of the basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an optional fee should they so wish. "This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice, and is fully compliant with EU law, as upheld by several recent Spanish court rulings, including in Coruña, Segovia, Ontinyent, Seville, and Madrid.' Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs fined Ryanair a record €108million in 2024 as part of a broader €179million action against five low-cost airlines. The fines were in response to a list of questionable charges, from paying for a seat next to your child to being charged just to print a boarding pass. Topping the list though was hand luggage fees.
