Origin Fairtrade Viognier, 2007, Western Cape, South Africa  Add/Read Comments

Like many this month Wine Blogging Wednesday caught me unprepared; nothing to hand to fit Dr. Debs choice of Rhone varietals. Threshers then. Of course when in said Threshers you have to make use of the buy 2 get a third free else the prices are a little steep. No Rhone whites on the shelves and precious little else that caught the eye. I exited with a bottle of Spanish rosé and an Italian Pecorino. The third bottle being a South African Viognier; a little ubiquitous but with a saving grace of being Fairtrade.

Review0.3
Wine Tasting Note: Origin Fairtrade Viognier, 2007, Western Cape, South Africa
Stockist: Threshers/WineRack Price: £6.99 [More on Adegga]

Origin is Threshers own-label range; so this has immediately clouded my thoughts with some negativity. But the Origin Viognier ain't that shabby. The bonus through is being branded with the blue, green and black logo; a real plus point for me. The range of FairTrade wines in the UK has grown marvellously over the years from a little under 150 wines available in 2003 to over 2000 today.

A pea-pod and honeysuckle aroma, nice weighty palate too. An edge of spice - quite gingery on the finish with a finishing 'bite' very reminiscent of the ginger beer tasting. Apple and apricot flavours add to the enjoyment. By the time I realised there might be a touch of residual sweetness, adding to the weighty mouth-feel, it was too late. Bottle emptied! Alcohol 13.5%.
Andrew BarrowScribblings Rating - 90/100 [3.75 out of 5]

Through buying Equality Fairtrade wines, the producers are guaranteed to receive a fair and stable price plus a premium which a democratically elected farmers committee ensures is used for projects that directly benefit farmers, workers and the local community.

By choosing Fairtrade wines, consumers are supporting growers to receive a fair price for their grapes, improving access to health care for the Cooperative members and their families, increasing access to education for the workers' children, delivering a higher standard of living for the workers and their families and assisting in housing projects.