Fairtrade Fortnight started this week (February 25) so time to raise a glass to the excellent strides that are being made to ensure that that farmers and producers get a fair deal for the goods they produce.

Across the country shops will be promoting Fairtrade Fortnight and the many products that now proudly bear the distinctive Fairtrade mark - look out for them.

Fairtrade wine is one of the fastest-growing sectors, with sales increasing exponentially over the three years that it has been available in the UK.

One of the new kids on the block is the Equality brand from Chile, produced from a co-operative of growers in the largest wine producing Maule region.

The winemaking is a unique partnership between two continents, with a New Zealand winemaking consultant, bringing a distinctive new world feel to the wines.

In the two years that it has been available, it has contributed significantly to raising the profile of the quality of Fairtrade wines.

This Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 was the first Fairtrade red wine to win a gold medal in the International Wine Challenge.

Its follow on vintage 2006 achieved a Silver Medal in the high profile Wines of Chile Awards earlier this year.

The Cabernet Sauvignon has velvety overtones, with a luscious cigar box smokiness and rich plum fruit on the palate.

Lovely with those stews and red meat dishes at this time of the year - and it is readily available in Asda, Threshers and E H Booth.

It is also stocked by Spar stores in the Midlands, mail order wine merchants Tanners (www.tannerswines.co.uk) and Traidcraft (www.traidcraft.co.uk).

Throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, many of these stores will be offering special prices on the wines - an even better excuse to go out and try a bottle for yourself now!