CityLife

Co-op Fairtrade wine promotion

Fairtrade Sparking Rosé (

THE CO-OPERATIVE's entire market-leading range of Fairtrade wines will be on offer at up to 20 per cent off as part of their wider Fairtrade promotion until September 29.

The promotion includes their new Fairtrade Sparking Rosé,  the first of its kind in the UK and available at an introductory price of £5.99.

The strawberry and cherry scented rosé comes from the Du Toitskloof wine co-op South Africa’s Western Cape. I re-tasted three of their Fairtrade wine range, each down from £5.49 to £4.49.

Their Cape Fairtrade Chardonnay 2008 offers refreshing citrus flavours, fermentation on oak staves adding a touch of creaminess. Its stablemate, the Cape Fairtrade Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, is a smoky, plummy confection that is pleasing but just a little short.

Fuller and more interesting is the Co-op Fairtrade Argentine Shiraz 2008, offering lots of blackberry fruit and sweet vanilla from partial barrel-ageing.

It comes from the La Riojana co-operative in the remote Famatina Valley. The Co-operative launched the first Argentine Fairtrade wine range from there, aiding the local community.

Being a member of the Fairtrade wine co-operative ensures growers receive a fair price for their grapes.

They will also receive a social premium from the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO), which the Co-op is matching.