9.24.2008 9:20 AM

Need Another Reason to Raise a Glass?

Fair Trade Wine Makes Its Debut in the US

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By Annie Bell Muzaurieta

You may have chomped some fair trade certified chocolate, or sipped a coffee drink made with fair trade certified beans. But there's a new member of the fair trade family in town, and it carries a bit more of a buzz.

Fair trade certified wine makes its Stateside debut this month at liquor stores nationwide (it has been available for a while in the UK). Some brands will be sold in grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Publix, and Sam's Club.

Why buy fair trade? That third-party certification means grape growers were paid fair prices for their goods. In addition, they don't use harmful agrochemicals or GMOs, and the certification means an assurance of fair and safe labor conditions, including a strict policy against child labor.

South Africa’s Stellar Winery, and Argentina’s Bodega Furlotti are two producers that have been certified. While Stellar is organic, not all the wine will be.

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