STRIKING NEW PACKAGING FOR BEST-SELLING BRAND ECOLOGICA

La Riojana is excited to reveal the refreshed packaging for its beloved organic Fairtrade brand, Ecologica, following the summer 2024 debut of the new design for its Ecologica Familias Reserve Shiraz Malbec and Ecologica Familias Torrontes Chardonnay in both 3L bag-in-box and 75cl PET bottles. A design update that signals a new chapter for the brand, which has grown into one of Sweden’s top-selling wine brands by volume. 

Initially introduced in Sweden in 2004, Ecologica was the first organic wine available in both bottle and bag-in-box formats. Since then, Ecologica has played a key role in the dramatic rise of organic wine sales, which now make up over 20% of all wine sold in Sweden. 

In addition to its strong reputation as a pioneer of organic wines in Sweden, Ecologica is evolving with a new emphasis on the `’familias” behind the wine. This shift is reflected in the contemporary new packaging design, which showcases the family growers responsible for the craftmanship of the wines.  

Along with its Fairtrade and organic certifications, Ecologica continues to champion sustainability, and as part of its efforts to create a sustainable brand, it has recently transitioned from traditional glass bottles to PET plastic, aligning with Sweden’s monopoly Systembolaget’s goal to reduce the carbon footprint associated with wine bottle production. 

To see the new Ecologica packaging design, visit https://www.lariojanawines.com/ecologica

LA RIOJANA SPREADS THEIR FAIRTRADE STORY IN GUERNSEY

La Riojana co-operative, together with Co-op, came together to celebrate this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight and the Co-op’s 30-year anniversary of supporting Fairtrade at a privately held Fairtrade wine tasting event at the Old Government Hotel in St Peter Port, Guernsey on Thursday 19th September 2024. 

The tasting, sponsored by Channel Islands Co-operative, was led by Co-op’s lead wine buyer Edward Robinson, who guided the 50 people who attended the event through a tasting of six Fairtrade wines from Argentina and South Africa. 

Four of the wines in the tasting line up, included the Co-op Fairtrade Pinot Grigio, Co-op Fairtrade Shiraz Rosé, Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Organic Malbec and Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Tilimuqui Sparking, all of which are produced by La Riojana co-operative. These wines were presented to the audience by Walter Carol, La Riojana’s Export Director, who as a guest speaker, was able to not only share details about the wines from La Riojana, but also share the story behind the wines. 

During the event, Walter explained how La Riojana’s 25-year-old relationship with the Co-op has helped change the lives for so many people living in La Riojana’s local wine community, through the sales of the Co-op Fairtrade wine range and the Fairtrade Premium that the wines have consequently generated.  

During Walter’s speech, particular focus was given to Tilimuqui, not only the name given to La Riojana’s recently launched Fairtrade Sparkling wine in Co-op, but also the name of the village which has benefitted in recent years from the construction of a Fairtrade-funded new water facility, secondary school and health clinic. 

After the event, Walter commented “Being able to deliver the Tilimuqui story in person is an excellent opportunity to help people understand that their choice to buy our Fairtrade wines is making a vital difference to our growers, workers and their families in Argentina. Without their support, we would not be able to implement the life changing projects that we have achieved. Most importantly it is these Fairtrade projects which are giving back our people their dignity.”

FIRST ARGENTINIAN FAIRTRADE FIZZ LAUNCHES IN UK

La Riojana, the world’s largest Fairtrade wine producer, is very excited to announce the launch of its newest product, Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Tilimuqui Sparkling Brut, a limited edition, which is due to be available in Co-op stores nationwide from the end of June 2024. 

Perfectly timed with the start of the summer season, this Irresistible Co-op Fairtrade wine, ABV 10.5% and made from 100% Torrontés grapes, is the first Fairtrade certified Argentine Sparkling wine to launch in the UK and is likely to be a real crowd pleaser, especially after winning a prestigious Silver Medal at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards.

Crafted from the finest Torrontés grapes in Argentina’s beautiful Famatina Valley, and produced using the Charmat method, La Riojana’s winemaking team have created an exceptional wine offering a fresh, crisp and vibrant character, with attractive aromatic profile and lively acidity. 

In addition to being an ideal summer aperitif, this wine, which has been produced specially to celebrate the 30-year Fairtrade anniversary, will also make the perfect tipple during this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, which will run from the 9th September – 22nd September 2024.

TOP AWARDS FOR LA RIOJANA’S FAIRTRADE WINES

La Riojana is delighted to be celebrating a host of medal successes, including four Silver and seven Bronze, for a large number of its Fairtrade certified wines judged at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards and International Wine Challenge. 

Two of the wines awarded Silver Medals in these two well renowned wine competitions include Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Tilimuqui Sparkling Brut NV (91 points - DWWA 2024) and Tilimuqui Fairtrade Malbec 2023 (90 points - IWC 2024), both of which newly launched this year and are named after Tilimuqui, a village where La Riojana is making a large investment to help improve the lives of its inhabitants, including many of La Riojana’s workers, growers and their families, through the Fairtrade Premium. 

La Riojana also saw further Silver Medal success for two more wines it produces for the Co-op own-label and Irresistible Fairtrade range, including Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Organic Malbec 2022 (92 points – IWC 2024) and Co-op Fairtrade Torrontes-Chardonnay 2023 (91 points - IWC 2024).

In addition to the Silver accolades, La Riojana is proud to have secured Bronze Medals for its Ecologica Fairtrade Organic Shiraz Malbec 2023 (IWC 2024); Ecologica Fairtrade Organic Torrontes Chardonnay 2023 (DWWA 2024); Co-op Fairtrade Pinot Grigio 2023 (DWWA 2024); Co-op Fairtrade Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (DWWA 2024); Co-op Fairtrade Bonarda Malbec 2023 (DWWA 2024); Co-op Fairtrade Shiraz Rosé 2023 (DWWA 2024) and Co-op Fairtrade Merlot 2023 (DWWA 2024 and IWC 2024).

“Wins such as these are testament to the type of quality wine that we consistently produce at La Riojana” comments Nick Day, Europe Sales Director for La Riojana, “and the fact that all of these medal winners retail below £10 shows their value for money for the consumer.”