The annual Fairtrade wine tasting took place on the 21st October in London (writes Christelle Guibert). With more than 130 wines on show and an increased sales year on year - a further 38% uplift in 2009 - Fairtrade is now recognised among shoppers. Like other Fairtrade products, buying Fairtrade wine ensures that producers are paid a living wage and that grapes are grown using environmentally sustainable practices. Higher Fairtrade sales mean greater chances for the communities to invest in the health of the workers and their families, in the education of their children or community development projects. But Fairtrade does not necessarily mean better quality. My priority is to drink good wine, but if the wine is produced in an environmentally-friendly and responsible way then that's a bonus. While the quality has improved in the last few years, there is a huge range of diversity in terms of quality. Many are still very disappointing and some should definitely not be available on our shelves. <br><br> Don't rule out Fairtrade wines, but do shop carefully. To get you started, I’ve selected a handful or so of wines that that I would gladly drink on a regular basis. My selection offers extremely good value, and each time you buy one of those Fairtrade bottles, about 5% of the retail price will go back to the community.
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Written by Decanter
