Winners of third annual Fairtrade Wine Competition announced
The results are in for this year's prestigious Fairtrade Wine Competition - and the quality of wines entered was higher than ever before. The winners of the trophies and certificates were announced yesterday at the fourth annual Fairtrade Wine Tasting event, held at Vinopolis in London.
This year saw a 34%* increase in the number of wines entered into the competition which was set up by the Fairtrade Wine Committee (FTWC), showing the resilience of the Fairtrade movement in the UK despite difficult economic times. The judging panel this year comprised nine industry experts* and was chaired by the WSTA’s Louise Vaux.
And the winners are...
Harpers Wine and Spirit Trophy for Best Overall Fairtrade Wine
Isabelo Pinotage 2008, Imbuko wines £4.99 Agent: Brand New World
The Drinks Business Trophy for Best Overall Fairtrade White Wine
Six Hats Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Citrusdal Cellars £6.99 Agent: Off Piste Wines
Off Licence News Trophy for Best Overall Fairtrade Red Wine
Isabelo Pinotage 2008, Imbuko wines £4.99 Agent: Brand New World
Additionally, the competition awarded certificates to the following wines:
Certificate for Best Fairtrade South African White
Six Hats Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Citrusdal Cellars £6.99 Agent: Off Piste Wines
Certificate for Best Fairtrade South African Red
Isabelo Pinotage 2008, Imbuko wines £4.99 Agent: Brand New World
Certificate for Best Fairtrade Argentinean White
Tilimuqui Single Vineyard Fairtrade Organic Torrontés 2009, £ 6.29 La Riojana, Agent: La Riojana Europe - LAREX AB
Certificate for Best Fairtrade Chilean Red
Los Unidos Carmenére Cabernet Franc 2008 CVC £5.49 Agent: Ehrmanns
Certificate for Best Fairtrade Rosé
Co-operative Fairtrade Chilean Merlot Rosé 2009 £4.99 Agent: Co-op
Certificate for Best Fairtrade Sparkling
Co-operative Fairtrade Cape Sparkling Rosé NV South Africa £7.99 Agent: Co-op
Jon Woodriffe, chairman, commented on behalf of the Fairtrade Wine Committee:
"The improvement in the quality of Fairtrade wine entered into the competition year by year is remarkable. During this time, considerable investment has been made to improve growing conditions and share the latest winemaking techniques with our Fairtrade partners. As a result, the FAIRTRADE Mark on a bottle of wine now represents great quality as well as a guarantee of ethical trading," he said.
“This year's competition and tasting shows how successful our commitment to building long-term mutually beneficial relationships with Fairtrade partners has been - and proves that creating high quality wines is just as important to licensees as guaranteeing a fair price," he concludes.
-Ends-
For further information, please contact Karis Hunt:
T: 07714 286412/ E: karis@chillipepperpr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
*82 wines entered this year, vs 61 last year.
*Fairtrade panel for 2009 included:
Sarah Jane Evans MW, Tim Atkin MW, Patricia Langton, Susan McCraith MW, Jo Ahearne MW, M&S, Michelle Smith, Sainsbury’s, Becca Reeves, (formerly of Asda, now Direct wines), Graham Nash, Tesco, Jaspar Corbett (Alan Titchmarsh daytime TV Show).
The UK Fairtrade Wine Committee was formed in 2006 with the aim of raising awareness in the UK wine trade and with the consumer. The first wines with the FAIRTRADE Mark appeared on UK shop shelves in January 2004.
For more information on Fairtrade, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk