Heritage Link Brands, Supporting African Vintners

The Wine Mom  Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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I know many people have cut back their spending not just out of need but also to set money aside to help others. But what if your guilty pleasure, actually helps others? You may not skip purchasing a bottle of wine on your next shopping trip if you know the wine is supporting others. Heritage Link Brands founder, Selena Cuffe, started her business after visiting South Africa’s first annual Soweto Wine Festival in 2005. She and her husband created Heritage Link Brands after learning that people of color (which includes blacks, coloreds and Indians) were poorly represented within Africa’s wine industry.

In 2007, the company launched in 26 states throughout the United States. Now, it not only imports and distributes African wine in 41 states, but its expanded portfolio also showcases wine harvested by vintners of African descent throughout the world.

The company initiates fair business practices, civic leadership, and contributes to social causes that improve conditions in Africa. They also support the International Society of Africans in Wine (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) and the Mohau Centre (Atteridgeville, South Africa).

Heritage Link Brands is the largest company that imports wine from Africa. They have two collections of wine, The Continent Collection (which consists of numerous varieties) and The Diaspora Collection (the highest quality wine produced by people of African descent throughout the world.)

I was able to sample three Sauvignon Blanc’s from Heritage Link Brands….

2007 Vivian Sauvignon Blanc, Seven Sisters. South Africa. This pale yellow, almost light green, wine smells of sweet tropical fruit. The taste is quite dry and earthy (with hints of vegetables). The vintner notes that you should serve this chilled alone or pairs well with grilled seafood, poultry, or veal. This wine is available for $14.99 (2009 vintage).

ISong 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. South Africa. This Sauvignon Blanc is very pale. It smells and tastes of tropical and citrus fruits. The vintner notes a green pepper flavor as well. My husband and I enjoyed this wine with friends while sampling appetizers. This wine retails for $12.99…such a fantastic deal!!

M’hudi 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. South Africa. This was my favorite of the three. It smells of citrus and pear but has a smooth, dry, and fruity clean finish. I enjoyed this wine so much, that I tried to make it last as long as possible! This wine is available for $16.99. M’hudi Sauvignon Blanc can be paired with fish, sushi, or another spicy dish.

So now you’re asking, where can you get these fabulous, affordable wines that support African Vintners? Numerous retailers including Costco, Jewel Osco, and Whole Foods and Wine and Spirit Stores (Pennsylvania) sell wines from Heritage Link Brands. You can also shop online or click  here for more retail and wine information.

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The Wine Mom has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others.