Some Fairtrade wines from the Co-op
UK supermarket The Cooperative are the world’s largest retailer of Fairtrade wines. You can read more about what Fairtrade means for wine here. The countries making Fairtrade wines include Argentina, Chile, South Africa and, more recently, Lebanon. Here I tried six of their range.
Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Sauvignon Blanc 2021 South Africa
12.5% alcohol
£6.50 Co-op
Fruity and lively with a nice contrast between the nettly green notes and the plump, exotic elderflower and pear fruit. There’s good balance and plenty of flavour here: a real bargain, especially when it’s on promotion. 87/100
Bruce Jack Breedekloof Sauvignon Blanc 2021 South Africa
12.5% alcohol
£7.25 Co-op
Fairtrade. From Breedekloof, a less well-known region with a lot of potential, this is an appealing, rounded, fruity Sauvignon with some pear and tropical fruit richness hemmed in by keen acidity and some bright citrussy notes. Stylish for the price. 87/100
Stellenbosch Drive Chardonnay 2020 South Africa
13.5% alcohol
£6.75 Co-op
Fairtrade. This is a really fruity expression of Chardonnay with a touch of lychee as well as pear and peach fruit, coupled with a fine spicy frill on the finish. Lovely texture here with nice balance and a real fruitiness. Has a hint of sweetness, too, that brings out the fruit. 85/100
Bruce Jack Breedekloof Shiraz 2021 South Africa
14% alcohol
£7.25 Co-op
Lovely fruit here. Aromatic and enticing with sweet floral cherry and plum fruit, showing some nice texture and a touch of chocolate and spice, with generosity but also freshness. Juicy and berryish, delivering lovely fruit. 88/100
Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Organic Malbec 2019 Famatina Valley, Argentina
13% alcohol
£7.50 Co-op
From high-altitude vineyards, this shows lovely vivid black cherry and blackberry fruit with a hint of meat and olive character. It’s fresh, vivid, and intense with a brightness and balance to the sweet fruit. Lovely stuff at this price. 88/100
El Esteco Don David Malbec Malbec 2019 Calchaqui Valley, Argentina
14% alcohol
£9 Co-op
Fairtrade. The double Malbec in the name refers to the fact that this is a blend of two Malbecs from really high altitude vineyards in the north of Argentina. This is vivid, floral and bright with lovely juicy cherry and blackberry fruit, showing focus and purity, and excellent balance. Very stylish. 90/100
