Fairtrade Wine Committee 2008 winners
The Fairtrade Wine Committee held its third annual wine tasting event at Vinopolis in Central London today, 12 November, when Fairtrade certified wines were showcased to the wine trade, journalists and the general public and the eagerly awaited results of the 2008 Fairtrade Wine Competition were announced.
The aim of the competition is 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 per cent on last year’s competition, and were judged in September by a panel of experts. After some tough judging, the following three trophies were awarded and presented to the winning producers by the respective sponsors:
- Harper’s Trophy for Best Overall Fairtrade Wine: Soluna Premium Malbec 2005
- Off Licence News Trophy for Best Fairtrade Red Wine: Soluna Premium Malbec 2005
- Wine & Spirit Magazine Trophy for Best Fairtrade White Wine: Isabelo Chenin Blanc 2008
In addition to the trophies, the competition also awarded five certificates to the following wines which were presented to the producers by Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation:
- Best Fairtrade South African Red: Sainsbury’s South African Pinotage 2006
- Best Fairtrade South African White: Isabelo Chenin Blanc 2008
- Best Fairtrade Argentinian Red: Soluna Premium Malbec 2005
- Best Fairtrade Argentinian White: Co-op Fairtrade Argentine Pinot Grigio 2008
- Best Value Chilean White: Equality by Las Lomas Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Nick Day, Chairman of the UK Fairtrade Wine Committee, commented: ‘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.’
Going forward
The five award-winning wines will have a starring role during the ‘Fairtrade & Fabulous’ activity planned by Vinopolis to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight early in 2009 (23 February – 8 March). Visitors will be invited to try the award winners including the People’s Choice trophy winner voted for by the visitors to the Annual Fairtrade tasting on 12 November 2008, as well as a number of other Fairtrade products, during the self-guided wine tours (for an additional £5 to the normal Vinopolis tour ticket price).
Ends
For further information, please contact Sam Combes
T: 07789 395169 / E: samcombes@fairtrade-tasting.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. The Fairtrade Wine Competition 2008 judging panel included Sarah Jane Evans MW,
Olly Smith, Jamie Goode, Patricia Langton, Susan McCraith MW, Maria Elener, The
Co-operative and Michelle Smith, Sainsbury’s.
2. The first wines with the FAIRTRADE Mark appeared on UK shop shelves in January 2004.
3. For more information on Fairtrade, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
4. For more information on Fairtrade & Fabulous, call Vinopolis on 020 7940 3000 or visit www.vinopolis.co.uk