Organic wine can help protect the planet

Sep 28 2009 by Jade Wright, Southport Visiter

FORGET red, white and rosé, this autumn’s finest wines are green ... It seems that the latest trend is to quaff a drop of environmentally friendlier wine, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. It’s all about choosing how you want to save the planet...

If you want to try organic, a good bet is La Agricola Terra Organica Malbec 2008. The Zuccardi family use their own vine training methods. They tour their vineyards on horse and by dog-cart and employ workers in preference to using machines. The result of their self-belief is wines with personality. This organic Malbec is a rich yet fruity wine with a nose of sweet violets as well as ripe fruits such as figs and raisins. £7.99, from Vinea on the Albert Dock.

If ethical trading is your concern, these Fairtrade Pinotage and Pinotage Rosés will leave a good taste in your mouth. They’re produced by the Fairtrade Citrusdal Winery in the Goue Vallei in South Africa.

The grapes are handpicked in the cool of the morning and crushed. The Fairtrade premiums from the sales of these two wines are used to make a real difference to the local community. They’ve built a new community hall which is used for clubs, training and community get-togethers, plus there’s a crèche for the children of the winery workers and free medical treatment. £4.99 from Sainsbury’s.

Alternatively, this sparkling rosé comes from the Du Toitskloof wine co-operative in the Western Cape of South Africa, one of the largest Fairtrade projects in the world.