Fairtrade wine
Red and white wine selection
It's nice to give something back for a change. That's why I got involved with Comic Relief this year, helping wine writer Jancis Robinson to choose a red and a white from SAAM Mountain Vineyards in South Africa.
The wines are available from most supermarkets, and every bottle sold gives £1 to help the disadvantaged in the UK and Africa. All you have to do is twist a screw cap and you've made a difference to someone's life.
I know these are difficult times, but if you buy one bottle of wine this month, choose one that gives something back to those who made it. Your support will help these projects to prosper.
2008 Co-op Fairtrade Argentine Torrontés/Chardonnay, La Riojana (£4.49, with 20 per cent off during Fairtrade Fortnight) Sourced from an Argentine region, La Rioja, rather than the Spanish one of the same name, this is an unusual blend of aromatic Torrontés with fruity Chardonnay.
2008 Co-op Fairtrade Cape Cabernet Sauvignon, Breede River Valley (£5.49, with 20 per cent off during Fairtrade Fortnight)
Made at Du Toitskloof, one of the largest Fairtrade projects in the world, this is a blackcurrant-scented Cabernet with a touch of oak and some tannic backbone.
2006 Sainsbury’s Fairtrade Pinotage, Western Cape (£4.99)
Pinotage’s parents – svelte Pinot Noir and more rustic Cinsault – are apparent in this Cape red. You get the raspberry fruit of the former, with some of the bite of the latter. Needs food to show at its best.
2008 Comic Relief Red Nose White, Paarl (£4.99, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Morrisons, Booths, Somerfield)
Using arguably the Cape’s best white grape, Chenin Blanc, this white is rich and concentrated with apple and tropical-fruit characters and a touch of honey.
2008 Comic Relief Red Nose Red (£4.99, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Morrisons, Booths, Somerfield)
A blend of a native grape variety (Pinotage) with a more international one (Shiraz), this is deeply coloured, lightly oaked and full of berry fruit and soft, fine-grained tannins.
2007 Los Robles Barrel Selection Fairtrade Carmenère, Curicó Valley (£5.49, Waitrose) Carmenère used to be confused with Merlot, but is now establishing a reputation of its own. Grassy and ripe with blackcurrant and chocolate notes.
2007 Equality by Las Lomas Sauvignon Blanc, Cauquenes (£6.05, Asda, Threshers, Spar) Crisp, zesty Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from the Maule Valley, with grapefruit and gooseberry notes and the grassy perfume typical of the grape. Award winner at the Fairtrade tasting.
2005 Soluna Premium Malbec, Mendoza (£9.95, Ehrmanns, 020 7418 1800; Ethical Fine Wines, ethicalwine.com)
The best Fairtrade wine on the market, this spicy, violet-perfumed wine can develop in the bottle over the next five years.
