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The 2005 Soluna Premium Malbec was the star at the 2008 Fairtrade Wine Competition. It was chosen as the Best Overall Fairtrade Wine (sponsored by Harpers), the Best Fairtrade Red Wine and the Best Argentinian Fairtrade Red Wine.

Last November 12th, the Fairtrade Wine Committee held its third annual wine tasting event at Vinopolis, a wine-focused space in London. The wine trade, journalists and the general public were communicated the eagerly awaited results of the 2008 Fairtrade Wine Competition.

According the Fairtrade Foundation’s website, the aim of this contest is to raise awareness of the high standard of Fairtrade wines on offer. The first edition was set up by the UK Fairtrade Wine Committee in 2007.

The organizers commented that entries from the three Fairtrade producing countries -Argentina, Chile and South Africa- were up by 30 per cent this year and were judged in September by a panel of experts. The following three trophies were awarded after difficult judging 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 these trophies, five certificates were presented to the following wines 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

The site quotes Nick Day, Chairman of the UK Fairtrade Wine Committee, commenting that “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.”

Moreover, it was announced that the five award-winning wines will have a starring role during the ‘Fairtrade & Fabulous’ activity planned by Vinopolis for the Fairtrade Fortnight early in 2009 (23 February - 8 March). Visitors will 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.

Source: Fairtrade Foundation

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