According to the Vegan Society 7.5 million British adults are currently following a meat-free diet and with an estimated 13 million Brits by the end of the year. With more and more people adopting a plant-based lifestyle, it is a hot topic that has filtered through to wine.
What makes a wine vegan?
One would assume that all wine was vegan after all wine is just fermented grape juice, right? The grape juice goes into a fermentation tank or vessel where yeast (natural or inoculated), begins to convert the sugars into alcohol, turning your syrupy grape juice into wine. At this point in the winemaking process the liquid will contain floating particles which will be a mixture of tiny grape skin fragments, yeast cells, unstable proteins, tartrates, phenolics and tannins making the wine appear clouded and murky. These particles are perfectly natural derivatives of fermentation but they need to be removed for the wine to have a clear and bright appearance. It is during this fining process that wines can become non-vegan.
Fining agents
The main purpose of the fining agent is for clarification and stabilisation of the wine, it does not change the flavour of the wine. The fining agent acts like a magnet to which the floating molecules attach to as it passes through the wine giving it clarity and removing impurities. . Many traditional fining agents are animal derived for example albumin (egg white), casein (milk protein) or isinglass (fish bladder) and can make a wine unsuitable for vegans. Once the fining agent has passed through the wine, it is removed. The fining agent will only be declared on the label if it is above detectable limits and therefore an allergen warning is required (i.e. detectable limits in the finished product at levels above 0.25g/litre).
Vegan friendly wines
Vegan wines use non-animal derived fining agents such as bentonite (clay), charcoal, pea protein or even a fine filter paper. Wines that are labelled as ‘unfiltered’ or unfined’ are also vegan friendly as they have not used a fining agent. These wines will still contain the natural sediment and may need to be decanted before drinking. Some wine makers feel that fining the wine strips some of the nuanced character of the wine.
The majority of wines produced today are in fact vegan, but they don’t always specify on the label. Regulations in the UK do not currently require producers to list fining agents on labels so it can be difficult to figure out if a wine is vegan by looking at the label alone. If in doubt, check on the website for a list of our vegan friendly wines. Or look up the producer, as they will make it clear on their website whether their wines are vegan.
Our top 6 vegan friendly wines
Defesa Branco Esporao 2021, Alentejo, Portugal
Brimming with fresh notes of citrus, mango and white peach. The palate is fresh and well balanced with a mouth-watering finish.
Vigneti Zabu, Grillo 2021, Sicily, Italy
Straw yellow in colour with golden highlights, this wine is fresh with mineral aromas on the nose, along with hints of flowers, peaches and citrus fruit. On the palate, it is full bodied with refreshing mineral notes and a long finish.
Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Central Valley, Chile
Expressive nose of fruit aromas including lime, white peach, pear, pineapple, green apple and chive. Fresh mouthfeel with good body and persistance, juicy and balanced.
Vinas del Vero Rincones Garnacha-Syrah 2019, Somontano, Spain
Cherry red in appearance with purple tints. Enticing aromas of Cranberry, cherry and blackberries intermingled with notes rose petals and spice. The palate is bursting with crunchy red fruits, blueberry, and balsamic with a touch of violet.
Baglio Gibellina Passimiento IGT 2020, Sicily, Italy
This is a blend of 70% Nero d`Avola and 30% Frappato offering great value for money and is a fantastic example of the wines being produced in Sicily today. Bright nose of pure black raspberry, tayberry and integrated spice. Luscious, seductive style on the palate with savoury red and black fruit summer basket and hints of violet and cassis. Great length on the finish.
Fryer's Cove, Grenache-Cinsault 2021, Western Cape, South Africa
Attractive aromas of raspberry, red and black cherry with a touch of clove spice fill the glass. Medium-bodied on the mid-palate with ripe, fine and velvety tannins that wrap around a core of further hedgerow and bramble fruits leading into a fine, elegant finish.
Shop our full range of Vegan wines here.
