Winners of third annual Fairtrade Wine Competition

The results are in for this year's Fairtrade Wine Competition. The winners of the trophies and certificates were announced last week at the fourth annual Fairtrade Wine Tasting event, held at Vinopolis in London.

This year saw a 34%* increase in the number of wines entered into the competition which was set up by the Fairtrade Wine Committee (FTWC), showing the resilience of the Fairtrade movement in the UK despite difficult economic times. The judging panel this year comprised nine industry experts and was chaired by the WSTA's Louise Vaux.

And the winners are: Harpers Wine and Spirit Trophy for Best Overall Fairtrade Wine, Isabelo Pinotage 2008, £4.99; The Drinks Business Trophy for Best Overall Fairtrade White Wine, Six Hats Sauvignon Blanc 2009, £6.99; Off Licence News Trophy for Best Overall Fairtrade Red Wine, Isabelo Pinotage 2008, £4.99.

Additionally, the competition awarded certificates to the following wines: Certificate for Best Fairtrade South African White, Six Hats Sauvignon Blanc 2009, £6.99; Certificate for Best Fairtrade South African Red, Isabelo Pinotage 2008, £4.99; Certificate for Best Fairtrade Argentinean White, Tilimuqui Single Vineyard Fairtrade Organic Torrontés 2009, £6.29 La Riojana; Certificate for Best Fairtrade Chilean Red, Los Unidos Carmenére Cabernet Franc 2008, £5.49; certificate for Best Fairtrade Rosé, Co-operative Fairtrade Chilean Merlot Rosé 2009 £4.99 and Certificate for Best Fairtrade Sparkling, Co-operative Fairtrade Cape Sparkling Rosé NV South Africa, £7.99.

Jon Woodriffe, chairman, commented on behalf of the Fairtrade Wine Committee: "The improvement in the quality of Fairtrade wine entered into the competition year by year is remarkable.

"During this time, considerable investment has been made to improve growing conditions and share the latest winemaking techniques with our Fairtrade partners. As a result, the FAIRTRADE Mark on a bottle of wine now represents great quality as well as a guarantee of ethical trading," he said.