Italy fizzes with fury at Prosecco tooth claim

ITALY: From the vineyards of the Veneto region to the corridors of parliament in Rome, Italy has reacted angrily to British claims that drinking prosecco leads to chronic tooth decay.

The Italians are upset by suggestions that knocking back the fizzy stuff can result in rotten teeth, cavities and the dreaded ‘‘prosecco smile’’ - receding gums and unsightly gaps.

‘‘Prosecco offers a triple whammy of carbonation, sweetness and alcohol, which can put your teeth at risk, leading to sensitivity and enamel erosion,’’ Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser for the British Dental Association, warned. His words were echoed by Mervyn Druian, of the London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry, who said: ‘‘It is acidic and it has sugar in it so, while a few glasses are fine, if you drink too much of it you are going to have a problem.’’

However, British claims have incensed the Italians, with the indignation extending to their government.

Maurizio Martina, the agriculture minister, wrote in a tweet: ‘‘Dear Guardian, tell the truth - prosecco makes British people smile too! Stop fake news please.’’

Politicians from the two regions in north-eastern Italy where prosecco is produced also weighed into the debate. ‘‘After Brexit, we need to help the people of Great Britain smile again. In modest quantities, our prosecco works wonders,’’ tweeted Deborah Serracchiani, governor of FriuliVenezia-Giulia.

Luca Zaia, her counterpart in neighbouring Veneto, wrote on Twitter: ‘‘This really is fake news. The British know full well that where there is prosecco there’s a smile; in fact they know it so well that they consume more of it by the day.’’ - Telegraph Group