Fairtrade wines: what the label means for drinkers
Supermarket shoppers might notice food products bearing a lime green, blue and black circular logo denoting a Fairtrade product. So what exactly is Fairtrade? In its mission statement Fairtrade describes itself as "About better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers". In other words, it is about economic sustainability and trying to give small farmers an opportunity to compete in the global market place.
To qualify for the Fairtrade label, food products have to be raised or made by small-scale farmers or plantations that meet Fairtrade's social, economic and environmental standards. Organisations have to be accredited and be audited annually to use the Fairtrade sticker.
Fairtrade wines come from South Africa, Argentina and Chile. In 2013, about 20.8 million litres of wine were sold under the Fairtrade label. South African Fairtrade wines accounted for about two-thirds of total production. It is estimated that 460,000 bottles of South African Fair Trade wines were sold in 2013.
For wine drinkers, does a Fairtrade logo guarantee that the wine is good? It depends on the producer. Fairtrade does not assess the quality of the wine, but only appraises that the conditions it was produced under meet its ethical standards. This means that Fairtrade wines should still be judged on their own merits.
Thandi Wines was established in 1995, a year after Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's first black president. Thandi means nurturing love in the Xhosa language and was the first wine brand to receive the Fairtrade accreditation in 2003. Thandi is South Africa's first Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) project and the company is owned by 250 farm workers representing about 62 per cent of shareholdings.
For Thandi, gaining Fairtrade accreditation was an enormous investment but it has led to many benefits. Most of the profits have been invested into education. A creche has been built for farm workers' children. It has led to funds for education in viticulture, the provision of school uniforms, and primary education. It also allows workers to take educational tours and learn basic management skills.
About 70 per cent chardonnay, with the rest chenin blanc. The wine has been aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve fresh fruit aromatics. Honey, waxy fruit, honeydew lemon on the nose. Fuller bodied with balanced acidity, ripe fruit. At peak, an easy drinking wine. HK$92
An attractive ruby colour. Summer fruits with strawberry, cherry, raspberry, plums and mint on the nose. Ripe fruit intensity, well balanced acidity, finishing slightly off dry. Great as an aperitif. HK$98
Made entirely from cabernet sauvignon and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Aged for 24 months in French barrels. Savoury, meaty notes, blackberries. Medium body, lighter on fruit intensity, ripe tannins and fairly short finish. Good for current drinking. HK$92
