From the terraced 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 taken aback 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, which has soared in popularity in the UK, offers a “triple whammy” risk to oral health according to Prof Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser for the British Dental Association.
“Prosecco offers a triple whammy of carbonation, sweetness and alcohol, which can put your teeth at risk, leading to sensitivity and enamel erosion,” he said.
But the British claims incensed the Italians, with the indignation extending all the way to government level.