Fairtrade wine tasting at Vinopolis

The Fairtrade Wine Committee is set to hold its second annual wine tasting event at Vinopolis on Thursday November 1st, when over 120 Fairtrade certified wines will be showcased to the wine trade, journalists and the general public.

This year’s event will see more wines on show than ever before, reflecting the rapidly increasing market demand for Fairtrade certified goods in the UK today. The FAIRTRADE Mark is the only independent consumer label that ensures farmers in developing countries receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow, as well as an additional premium to invest in community projects such as education and healthcare.

Total UK Fairtrade sales exceeded £290m in 2006 and have been running at annual growth rates of 40% for the past five years, giving 7 million people – farmers, workers and their families - a chance to build a better future and enabling producers to compete more effectively in the global market place.

Wine is one of the fastest growing categories of Fairtrade goods in the UK and wholesale wine volumes increased by 116.7% in 2006 compared to 2005. The UK is by far the biggest market for Fairtrade wine, with 2.5 million litres sold last year, with a retail value of £7m. The market looks due to continue increasing.

This year’s tasting will showcase wines from 18 producer groups from Argentina, Chile and South Africa, and nine importers will be represented. Workers from Fairtrade certified farms in South Africa and Chile will attend the event on behalf of the wineries they work for and will be able to explain to guests how the Fairtrade premium projects have benefitted their communities.

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, says: “The Fairtrade Wine Committee has very effectively brought producers and importers together to organize the second annual Fairtrade wine tasting. In the few years that Fairtrade certified wine has been imported from Argentina, Chile and South Africa, the sector has increased significantly year on year, bringing considerable benefits to the producer groups involved. Through such collaborative events to raise the profile of Fairtrade wine, they are really leading the way – and I raise a glass to their success.

“Eight out of ten members of the public are aware of Fairtrade, and many of them undoubtedly enjoy a glass of wine – so what could be better than doubling your pleasure in the knowledge that the growers get a better deal. I’d encourage anyone to try some of the growing selection of great Fairtrade wines.”

The winners of the first ever Fairtrade Wine Awards will be announced at the tasting. The Awards, also organised by the Fairtrade Wine Committee, have been created to highlight the quality of wines in this sector. The wines were judged by a team of wine trade experts comprising Liz Morcom MW, Sally Easton MW, Julie Arkell, Patricia Langton, Christine Austin, and David Williams, along with Marks & Spencer buyer Jo Ahearne and chaired by Louise Vaux from the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

The Fairtrade Wine Committee is chaired by Nick Day of Ehrmanns, who says: “It is great to be working with so many importers who are committed to promoting and distributing their Fairtrade wines as widely as possible. In organising the tasting and the awards, we as a committee seek to raise the profile of Fairtrade, and of the quality, excellent value for money and availability of the wines.

“Judging by the response we have received from the trade, press and consumer, there is clearly considerable interest in, and awareness of, Fairtrade wines out there.”

The Fairtrade Tasting will take place at Vinopolis, No. 1 Bank End, London SE1 5BU on Thursday 1st November.

The tasting will be open to the general public as a ticketed event from 5.30 -7.30pm, tickets are available from the Vinopolis website - Vinopolis.co.uk.