Fairtrade

  • Understanding Fairtrade Wine

    Understanding Fairtrade Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    Fairtrade wine carries the FAIRTRADE Mark licensed by the Fairtrade Foundation in the the UK, an arm of Fairtrade International. That mark tells you the grapes were grown and traded to Fairtrade Standards, with protections on price and workers’ rights and with an extra, ring-fenced community payment called the Fairtrade Premium. In wine this matters…

  • Fairtrade Talk and Tasting

    Fairtrade Talk and Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    I was recently invited to a roundtable and tasting event hosted by the Fairtrade Foundation to mark Fairtrade Fortnight. The event took place at the Argentinian Ambassador’s Residence in London and offered a fascinating opportunity to explore the real-world impact of Fairtrade wine on communities in Argentina, Chile and South Africa. Following the discussion, we…

  • Co-op Irresistible 30° Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir

    Co-op Irresistible 30° Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    I tasted this Pinot Noir as part of my awards25 series and it’s already made a strong impression, with a Gold at the IWC and a Bronze at the IWSC. It also previously won a Silver in the Pinot Noir Masters. The name 30° refers to its Chilean roots, highlighting the 30 degrees south latitude…

  • Co-op Spring & Summer Tasting

    Co-op Spring & Summer Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In late April 2025, I went to the Co-op press tasting in London. Co-op remains the most shopped-at retailer in the UK, with an average of 2.2 million shoppers visiting every day, resulting in around 800 million shopping visits per year. In 2024, they grew their market share in the convenience sector to 13.7%, supported…

  • Tesco Spring Summer Tasting 2025

    Tesco Spring Summer Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    In March 2025, I went to the Tesco Spring Summer Press Tasting in London, where a large line-up of 152 wines was showcased, including 19 new wines. One of the most notable developments was Tesco’s move towards greater sustainability in its wine packaging. Working in collaboration with the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) and various suppliers,…

  • Fairtrade Organic Malbec

    Fairtrade Organic Malbec

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    Simon Judge

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    I first encountered the Fairtrade Organic Malbec during a wine tasting I hosted, but with the 2022 vintage. Its atypical profile made a strong impression on me and it became one of my picks for its nuanced character, which stood out against the typical Malbecs. The 2023 vintage, now at 12.5% ABV compared to the…

  • Deluxe Pinotage

    Deluxe Pinotage

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    Simon Judge

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    Pinotage wine often flies under the radar, and this particular Deluxe Pinotage from Lidl is especially elusive as it isn’t listed on Lidl’s website. The Pinotage grape was first cultivated in 1925 through the crossbreeding of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut by Abraham Izak Perold, the inaugural Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. Known for its…

  • Co-op Spring & Summer Wine Tasting

    Co-op Spring & Summer Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    The Co-op Spring & Summer Wine Tasting was held in May 2024, in London, showcasing 84 wines. With consumers becoming more price-conscious, the Co-op has seen a noticeable shift towards choosing own-label wines over branded ones. In response, Co-op has expanded its own-label wine ranges. There is also a strong demand for rosé wines, which,…

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