Argentina sweeps the board at fairtrade wine awards

Published: 12 November, 2008

The results of the 2008 Fairtrade Wine Competition were announced today at the Third Annual Fairtrade Wine Tasting at Vinopolis.

The results of the 2008 Fairtrade Wine Competition were announced today at the Third Annual Fairtrade Wine Tasting at Vinopolis.

Argentinean red, the 2005 Soluna Premium Malbec swept the board, scooping awards for best overall fairtrade wine (sponsored by Harpers), best fairtrade red wine and best fairtrade Argentinian red.

It was also a good day for the 2008 Isabelo Chenin Blanc, which won best fairtrade white wine and best South African white.

The competition aims to raise awareness of the high standard of Fairtrade wines on offer and was first set up by the UK Fairtrade Wine Committee in 2007.

Entries from the three fairtrade producing countries: Argentina, Chile and South Africa, were up by 30% on last year's competition, and were judged in September by a panel of experts.

The competition also awarded certificates for the best South African, Argentinian and Chilean fair-trade wines, which were presented to the producers by Harriet Lamb, executive director of the Fairtrade Foundation.

Best fairtrade South African red went to Sainsbury's 2006 South African Pinotage, best Argentinian white to the Co-op's 2008 fairtrade Argentine Pinot Grigio and best value chilean white to the 2007 Equality by Las Lomas Sauvignon Blanc.

Nick Day, chairman of the UK Fairtrade Wine Committee, said: "These awards clearly acknowledge the quality of Fairtrade wines available today and have been designed to help promote Fairtrade within the wine category.

"The more we can encourage consumers to try Fairtrade wines and see the quality for themselves, the more benefits we are able to bring to the individual Fairtrade producers and to their local communities."

The five award winning wines will now have a starring role during the "Fairtrade & Fabulous" activity planned by Vinopolis to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight taking place between February 23 and March 8 next year.