Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off with wine offers

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 24 February, 2014

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from today, February 24, until March 9 and is organised by the Fairtrade Foundation, the organisation that helps to publicise and promote the work of producers, retailers and suppliers in producing, sourcing and selling Fairtrade products in the UK.

As Fairtrade Fortnight gets underway, a host of retailers have ramped up their Fairtrade wine offers.

Marks & Spencer has expanded its Fairtrade wine listings to include its Dolphin Bay and Zebra View wines. It is now offering its largest-ever range of Fairtrade wines.

Dolphin Bay and Zebra View have recently gained Fairtrade status and join M&S's existing Fairtrade wines, Cape Quarter and Six Hats. They have been produced with ethically motivated producers from Fairtrade certified vineyards in South Africa's Western Cape.

The Fairtrade certification ensures growers are paid a fair price for their grapes, and allows investment in the local community.

Its Dolphin Bay Chenin Blanc 2013, from the Breede Valley, has an rrp of £5.79, while the Dolphin Bay Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanch come in at £5.99. The range also includes a Merlot and Shiraz. The Zebra View range offers a Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon with prices ranging from £7.49 to £7.99.

Andrew Baker, wine buyer at Virgin Wines reviewing the progress of the computer centre and library project at Lorraine Primary School in Rawsonville South Africa.

Meanwhile, The Co-operative has sold 35 million bottles of Fairtrade wine in the past 10 years, with 2013 its most successful year to date.

The grocer, which is the UK's largest retailer of Fairtrade wine, sells 52.5% of all Fairtrade wine in the UK. It has also been recognised as the world's largest retailer of Fairtrade wine by the Fairtrade Foundation - accounting for 28% of global Fairtrade wine sales. Customers can avail of 20% off selected Fiartrade wines this fortnight.

Andrew Mann, customer director, The Co-operative Food, said: "We are encouraging shoppers to take the Fairtrade Wine Challenge this year and get behind Fairtrade Fortnight by trying one of our 17 own-brand Fairtrade wines, instead of one of their regular wine purchases or even one of their favourites."

Virgin Wines will also be supporting Fairtrade Fortnight. Since 2008, the business has contributed over £17,000 to Fairtrade projects in South Africa and will continue to donate funds from the sale of its Fairtrade wines to help build an after-care facility for children at a primary school there.

If you are carrying out any Fairtrade activity in your business in the next two weeks, let us know by emailing Gemma McKenna, commenting below or tweeting us via @harperswine.

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