Italian politicians, farmers and wine producers have joined forces in a bid to protect the industry from the threat posed by artificial-aging techniques, reports the Italian news agency ANSA.

They are concerned that the use of oak chips to speed up the aging process and to give wines 'barrel flavour', a practice the EU recently approved, will lower standards and threaten Italy's lead in the sector.

This is because, according to the new EU regulations, there will be no distinction on labels between wines aged artificially and those produced with traditional techniques.

Experts say this will damage Italian producers' ability to differentiate the nation's fine wines from those that foreign competitors churn out using cheap shortcuts.

A cross-party group of MPs presented a motion in parliament on Tuesday calling on the government to take action to protect Italy's quality produce from "Pinocchio wine".

Over the last 20 years Italian producers have reaped the rewards of concentrating on quality and making the most of the country's time-honoured wine-making traditions.

As a result, Italy became the world's top wine exporter last year in terms of volume.

Italian wine sales recently overtook those of France in the US wine market too.

For the complete story, go to http://ansa.it