Description

This luscious dessert wine is made like a 'vin de paille' or straw wine. Organic Muscat d'Alexandrie (Hanepoot) grapes are laid to rest on a bed of organic Rooibos tea and straw for several weeks or months. The fragrance of the tea infuses the dried grapes which are then pressed, yielding a sweet syrup that is fermented into wine. Intensely sweet nose combining heady scents of honey, oranges, apricots, marmalade and raisins. Well-balanced acidity counters the sweetness and keeps the wine fresh. Moreish butterscotch finish. A real treat! If you would like to order any bottles please contact susan@ethicalwine.com as we still have some bottles remaining.

More information

Stellar Winery is situated 275 km north of Cape Town on the road to Namibia and is both organic and Fairtrade. The cellar processes upwards of 5000 tons of organic grapes from farms straddling the northern boundary of the Olifants River wine region and Namaqualand. This is an area famous for its spring flowers and is also the only semi-arid Biosphere hotspot in the world.

Both farm and cellar staff are transported to and from work. Families receive health care and the permanent services of a community worker. Workers receive free housing, electricity and water and all schooling and child-care facilities are subsidised. A percentage of the wholesale price of the wine is paid directly back to the Stellar Fairtrade Workers' Trust. The Fairtrade umbrella bodies in the various export destinations supervise this process.

Where possible waste products are recycled or reused. Skins from the press are composted and plans to make organic grape seed oil are well advanced. Water usage in the cellar is audited. Water has the solids screened from it and goes through aeration and an effective micro-organism treatment (EM), before being used for irrigation. Chemicals for cleaning and for use in winemaking are kept to a minimum and alternatives such as steam are used where possible.

Suitable for Vegetarians

Suitable for Vegans