Equality Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Review

We like:

The commitment to Fairtrade; the adherence to local labour laws; the uncomplicated, accessible taste; the International Wine Challenge Award

We don't like:

That we lost interest by the second glass; that it's fined with gelatine -- note to veggies

SmartPlanet judgement:

Equality Cabernet Sauvignon is a good quality wine with mid-week appeal -- we'd happily drink it while considering big issues such as what to have for tea. But it isn't a conversation-stopper, which we might have expected from something special enough to be the first red Fairtrade winner at a major wine competition. We like the Equality brand, though, which puts its trade credentials front and centre.

When you see a gold sticker on a bottle of something unopened, expectations rise. Equality Cabernet Sauvignon was the first Fairtrade red wine to win a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge, and knowledgeable writers including Tim Atkin have pointed out that not all Fairtrade wine tastes this good. But when we opened our bottle, we were surprised to be slightly underwhelmed. Continue reading...