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A Fair Trade Wine World - Lubanzi

A Fair Trade Wine World - Lubanzi The roots of the Fair Trade movement delve into the 1940s and 1950s, where the impetus came from religious groups and politically oriented NGOs. A pivotal moment arose with the establishment of Ten Thousand Villages, originally known as Self-Help Crafts, offering handmade goods from marginalized communities. By 1946 and 1949, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and SERRV International pioneered fair trade supply chains, primarily centered on handicrafts.

Wines to Get You Talkin’

Wines to Get You Talkin’ With the holidays just around the corner, literally, are you ready with dinner party wines? Do you still need a unique gift for that wine lover, and want something with some character? Do you struggle with the imminent small talk that accompanies holiday gatherings? To help, here are some wines to consider, and a little conversation to go with them. There are wines that not only inspire sonnets on what is going on in the glass, and then there are those that encourage more in-depth conversations on the history and the story of the how, and who, of that wine.

West Coast Thanksgiving

West Coast Thanksgiving  Once upon a time, in a cozy West Coast home, preparations were underway for a Thanksgiving feast that would capture the essence of the region. The bountiful offerings of the Pacific coast were eagerly anticipated—a unique and delicious celebration. Eventually the family would wander into the house, the son, the daughter, the extended family with aunts, uncles, and cousins. All to be greeted with a myriad of dinner courses, fine conversations, and of course, local wines from California to Washington State to complement the diverse flavors of the meal.

A Different View of Spain

A Different View of Spain In the last couple decades, the US market has grabbed ahold of Spanish wines. Starting with the most-grown grapes, which include Tempranillo, Grenache, Verdejo, and Albariño. You would think that these grapes came into existence in the normal way of propagating two different varietals by crossing to produce a new grape. This is no different than when Sauvignon Blanc was crossed with Cabernet Franc to produce Cabernet Sauvignon.

A Bouquet of Rosés

A Bouquet of Rosés Would you rather have a bouquet of Rosés than Roses? The benefits to having the Rosés are: enjoying rosé from all around the world, they will not turn brown or wilt; they smell just as lovely as a rose, and at times have the same aroma; and you do not have to remember, or want, to add water! With summer in full swing, with porch and poolside sitting, picnics and outside dining, here is a half-dozen bouquets of Rosé’s for you to enjoy.