The Ten Best Fairtrade Wines

2. Soluna Premium Malbec 2005 - £8.95
This fabulously rich, velvety wine from the boutique Bodega Furlotti winery in Argentina’s Mendoza valley is made with grapes exclusively purchased from an association of small growers and workers who live on the vineyards they maintain. Perfect with red meat.
www.ethicalwine.com;
01454 313 300

3. Sainsbury’s Fairtrade Pinotage - £4.99
A slightly spicy, fruity, full-bodied red from the Citrusdal winery in South Africa that is the star turn in Sainsbury’s commendable new selection of own label Fairtrade wines, some of which are also organic. An ideal pasta or pizza wine.
www.sainsburys.co.uk;
0800 917 4092

4. Los Robles Carmenere - £4.99
Winner of Best Red at the Fairtrade Wine Awards, this is a fine example of Chile’s successful adoption of this French grape. Warming fruity flavours, with a good finish. Find it inmajor supermarkets or under the Co-op’s own label
www.co-operative.co.uk;
0800 068 6727

5. Citrusdal Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot - £67.70 (12 bottles)
Traidcraft, a charity which helps poor Third World producers market their goods for decent prices, sells a terrific range of Fairtrade goods and wines by the case. This South African wine is the best of its range, a meaty, warming, Cabernet Sauvignon tempered by a long smooth Merlot finish.
www.traidcraftshop.co.uk;
0845 330 8901 

6. Moonlight Organics Chenin Blanc - £5.04
At the organic Stellar Winery in the Western Cape, the first and biggest vineyard in South Africa accorded Fairtrade status, the cool nights allow the classic Loire Valley white wine grape to thrive. Minerally, but fuller and more rounded than many Chenin wines; a lovely aroma.
www.vinceremos.co.uk;
0800 107 3086

7. Fairhills Colombard Sauvignon Blanc - £4.99
The Fairhills project, based in the Western Cape, is now the largest global Fairtrade scheme. This is a terrific example, a straightforward fresh and fruity wine, the Colombard grape adding body to the zesty, gooseberry Sauvignon Blanc.
www.waitrose.com;
0800 188 884

8. Maara Chardonnay - £5.49
There are buttery and tropical fruit flavours in this lightly oaked well balanced Chardonnay from the Citrusdal vineyards in South Africa, where the premium price paid to grape growers helps to support local social programmes combating the legacy of apartheid.
www.marksandspencer.com;
0845 609 0200 

9. Organic Malbec Reserve - £5.99
A serious wine from the grape now synonymous with chunky Argentinian reds. An aroma of violets, a full mouthful of dark chocolate and spicy flavours and long aftertaste. Best with rich casseroles, it’s on offer for £4.79 until 11 March – a real bargain.
www.co-operative.co.uk;
0800 068 6727

10. Equality Cabernet Sauvignon - £5.95
First Fairtrade red gold medal at the International Wine Challenge, another stunner from the Covica co-operative. Typically big Chilean flavours: blackcurrant aromas, full-bodied, well-structured, with lingering soft tannins on the palate.
www.threshers.co.uk;
01707 387 200