ONEHOPE Sauvignon Blanc 2008 at Fresh & Easy
I am a sucker for products that donate profits to charity. And I know that in many cases “sucker” is probably an appropriate word to use. There is a “feel good” factor that makes me enjoy products more if I think that the profits are going to support a good cause rather than going directly into the pockets of some multimillionaire in New York. But the product still has to be good for me to make a repeat purchase. I’ve been buying Newman’s Own Medium Salsa for years, because it’s good and I like the fact that the profits are going to charities.
I was intrigued when I learned about ONEHOPE wines because they donate 50% of all profits to different causes. While it’s not 100% of profits, a company needs some profits to survive… and 50% to charities is significant. Different wines from ONEHOPE benefit different causes, so you’re bound to find one of their wines that supports a cause that’s close to you.
I had a chance to try the 2008 ONEHOPE Sauvignon Blanc, which is exclusive to Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. It’s not just exclusive, Fresh & Easy’s “Master of Wine,” Phil Reedman, worked with winemaker David Elliot to produce this wine. Fresh & Easy has about 70 exclusive wines that Reedman has been involved in producing. I’m not aware of other retailers that are that involved in the wines they sell (it might be happening elsewhere, I’m just not aware of it.)
Fresh & Easy released this Sauvignon Blanc about a month ago, on Earth Day. 50% of ONEHOPE’s profits from this wine will be donated to American Forests, a nonprofit organization that plants trees for environmental restoration. Basically, for every bottle of wine sold, they will plant a tree. To add to the environmental friendliness of this wine, it was produced using sustainable wine growing practices.
While all the charity stuff is great, the wine still has to be good for me to give it a “thumbs up,” and this one is good. This is characteristically a California Sauvignon Blanc. It has a little bit of grassiness in the aromas, but it’s much more subtle than in New Zealand or Chilean SBs. The aromas are mostly in the tropical fruit family, with honeydew melon, lemon and banana. The palate is delectable with melon, pear, mango and lemon flavors. The acidity is sufficient, although it’s not quite as crisp as I would have preferred. The finish is good on this wine with lingering citrus flavors and a hint of mineral.
For $9.99 it’s a good Sauvignon Blanc, and with some of that going to a good cause it’s even better.
Wine: ONEHOPE
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 86
Price: $9.99
