Fairtrade Fortnight provides the perfect opportunity to pop the cork on wine with a conscience…
- Extra Special South African Fairtrade Pinotage 2014, £5.50, Asda (direct.asda.com)
Juicy and rich, this bargain bottle is bursting with berries and slides down perfectly alongside a hearty red meat dish. - Taste The Difference Wild Valley Fairtrade Chenin Blanc 2015, currently on offer at £6, Sainsbury’s (www.sainsburys.co.uk)
An impressive combination of ethics and quality, this South African white is clean on the palate and refreshing to taste, with zesty citrus notes and crisp apple. Great value and light in body, enjoy this Fairtrade option paired with fish, pork or fruit-based desserts.
- Fish Hoek South African Fairtrade Shiraz 2015, currently on offer at £5.99, Waitrose, Morrisons (www.waitrose.com)
Fish Hoek’s entire range from the 2015 vintage is impressively sourced from South African Fairtrade suppliers. This simple, medium-bodied red, full of ripe berries, a dash of spice and a hint of oak for balance, goes perfectly with a cheesy pasta or gnocchi dish, and is just as quaffable on its own.
- Stellar Winery Organic Fairtrade Heaven on Earth Dessert Wine, £8.75 (half bottle), Slurp.co.uk
Made from organically grown Muscat grapes, which are then dried on straw and Rooibos tea, this rich, sweet and sumptuous wine goes perfectly with puds. Tuck into a cream-filled, fruit-topped pavlova, wash it down with a glug of this nectar and you’ll find yourself in seventh heaven.
- Fairtrade Truly Irresistible Malbec 2013, £6.99, The Co-operative (www.co-operativefood.co.uk)
My pick of the bunch for Fairtrade Fortnight, with a fantastic new price for 2016 (was £8.49). This seductive, big-bodied red is utterly beautiful and bursting with berries. It’s so good, it should be drunk completely on its own, save for the odd tiny nibble to ensure you’re not too tipsy when you reach the end of the bottle.
- Santa Florentina Fairtrade Pinot Gris, Valles del Famatina 2013, £8.75, Corney & Barrow (www.corneyandbarrow.com)
Pale lemon in colour, with bright citrus and apple flavours, this wonderful white really gets the mouth watering. Perfect for a sunny spring day.
- Usizo Fairtrade Colombard Sauvignon Blanc 2013, currently on offer at £5.99, Virgin Wines (www.virginwines.co.uk)
Meaning ‘assistance’ in Zulu, the Usizo Fairtrade range has been giving back to the Fairhills community in South Africa since 2009. This refreshing blend of Cape Colombard and zesty Sauvignon is a zippy little number with mouthwatering acidity, tropical grapefruit and lime flavours, and a fresh finish.
- Fairtrade South African Chenin Blanc 2015, £6.39, Waitrose (www.waitrose.com)
This is a zesty, dry, unoaked white, which smells of pineapples and nectarine, but glides down bursting with vibrant flavours of green apple. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a spicy stir fry, or even a seafood salad.
- Fairtrade Monteflores Reserve Malbec 2013, £10, Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com)
From one of Argentina’s most iconic Malbec producers, this International Wine Challenge 2015 winner is deliciously full-bodied, with lip-smacking black cherry and plum flavours. A definite must-buy for Fairtrade Fortnight.
- Fairhills Cape Original Shiraz Malbec 2015, £6, Tesco (www.tesco.com)
This magnificent Shiraz/Malbec blend is just what you need when you’ve got friends round. Deliciously ripe with vibrant plum and raspberry flavours, wrapped in soft oak – just add steaks.
