The scandal began in early May when Mr Berlusconi’s wife, Veronica Lario, announced that she was divorcing him, adding that she could no longer stay with a man who “consorts with minors”.

Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and even, for a time, Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo have been singled out for favoured treatment.

"Some of the most expensive wines in Spain come from the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa regions," Pancho Campo, the founder and President of the wine Academy of Spain, says.