The Ins And Outs Of Vegan Wine

When it comes to wine, many people assume that all wines are vegan because they are made from grapes and other ingredients; however, this is not always the case.

In this blog post, we'll explore vegan wines, delving into what makes a wine vegan, its production process, and why it's becoming a popular choice among both vegans and non-vegans alike.

If you lead a vegan lifestyle and are interested in vegan wines, read on to find out more.

 

What Exactly is Vegan Wine?

The term 'vegan' extends beyond the plate and into your wine glass. Veganism, as a lifestyle choice, is against the use of animal products in all aspects of life.

When applied to winemaking, this means eliminating animal-derived fining agents traditionally used to clarify and stabilise wines. These agents, such as egg whites, gelatin, and fish bladder, can be a surprising part of the winemaking process for many.

Vegan wine, on the other hand, skips these animal-based fining agents, relying on alternative methods to achieve the desired clarity and stability. This difference ensures that the entire winemaking process aligns with vegan principles.

 

The Winemaking Process

To appreciate the ins and outs of vegan wine, it's essential to understand the winemaking process.

Firstly, grapes are harvested, crushed, and fermented to produce the base wine. However, this liquid often contains particles, proteins, and compounds that can make the wine cloudy or lead to sedimentation over time.

Traditional winemakers turn to fining agents to address these issues. Vegan winemakers opt for cruelty-free alternatives to fine-tune their wines.

Bentonite, a type of clay, is a popular choice. Its negatively charged particles attract and bond with positively charged particles in the wine, helping to clarify it.

Other vegan-friendly options include activated charcoal and pea protein, each serving the same purpose without the use of animal-derived ingredients.

Is Vegan Wine Popular? 

In recent years, the demand for vegan wines has surged, driven not only by the growing popularity of veganism but also by a broader consumer trend towards ethical and sustainable choices.

The wine industry, always attuned to consumer preferences, has responded by offering a more extensive range of vegan options.

Winemakers around the world have embraced the challenge of producing high-quality vegan wine without compromising on taste or texture. This shift reflects a broader movement towards environmentally conscious and ethical winemaking practices.

Vegan wines can be considered healthier compared to your normal red and white wines and this is due to a range of reasons. For example, these wines contain fewer chemicals and more antioxidants, are environmentally friendly and contain a lower sulfite content.

How Do You Know Which Wines Are Vegan?

Understanding whether a wine is vegan-friendly can be challenging, as this information is not always prominently displayed on the label. Unlike organic or biodynamic certifications, there is no universal symbol indicating that a wine is vegan.

Instead, consumers must rely on the winery's website, contact the producer directly, or consult third-party resources that curate lists of vegan wines.

However, as awareness of vegan wine grows, more winemakers are choosing to label their bottles as 'vegan-friendly' or 'suitable for vegans.' This transparency makes it easier for you to make informed choices aligned with your ethical preferences.

 

Is The Quality of Vegan Wine Compromised?

One common misconception about vegan wine is that it may compromise on taste or quality. However, the absence of animal products in the fining process does not affect the flavour of the wine.

In fact, many argue that vegan wines can showcase the true taste of the grape, allowing the natural flavours to shine without the influence of animal-derived additives.

Moreover, the shift towards vegan winemaking often coincides with a broader commitment to sustainable practices.

Many vegan winemakers prioritise organic farming, minimal intervention, and environmentally friendly packaging – factors that can contribute to a more holistic and enjoyable wine-drinking experience. 

Food Pairing with Vegan Wines

Pairing vegan wine with food can be a delightful experience. Just like traditional wines, vegan wines complement a variety of dishes, from plant-based meals to classic meat-based dishes. The key is to consider the wine's flavour profile and acidity levels.

For lighter vegan white wines such as sauvignon blanc, think of pairing them with fresh salads, vegetable-based dishes, or light pasta.

Full-bodied vegan red wines such as cabernet sauvignon go nicely with foods like cheese boards, roasted vegetables, mushroom-based dishes, or even a vegan burger.

Ultimately, the goal is to balance the flavours of the wine with the food, creating a harmonious and enjoyable dining experience. Experimentation is key, and discovering the perfect pairing can be a rewarding adventure.

Check out our top tips for pairing food & wine.

 

Why Isn’t All Wine Vegan?

To understand why wine contains animal products, it’s best to start at the beginning...

Once the grapes are collected from the vines, they get fermented.

The fermentation process involves adding yeast to the grape mixture. The yeasts essentially consume the naturally occurring sugars in the grapes, converting the sugars into ethanol (alcohol), heat, and carbon dioxide (bubbles).

The carbon dioxide is a byproduct that simply releases into the atmosphere, and isn’t an important part of the winemaking process.

After the wine has been through the fermentation process, it will likely appear cloudy and have sediment floating around. Cloudy wine is completely natural and won’t do you any harm - the sediment that you may find floating around simply consists of yeast, proteins, and other organic residues.

However, many people prefer clear wine and don’t like the look of cloudy wine. This is why winemakers put the wine through the next stage of the winemaking process - the fining process.

The fining process involves adding fining agents into the wine which works to rid the wine of any unwanted aromas, textures, and flavours. Fining the wine stabilises the wine, ridding it of any unwanted sediment.

However, some fining agents can contain animal products. Some common animal product fining agents include casein (milk protein), isinglass (fish bladder protein), albumin (egg whites), and gelatine (animal protein).

Chances are, you’ve heard of most of these - but you may be wondering what exactly isinglass is. It’s a kind of gelatine that has been obtained from the dried bladder of fish and is commonly used to fine white wines.

The fining agents get removed once the wine has been fined - they’re either filtered out or they evaporate out. However, once the fining agents get filtered out, the final product is still unsuitable for vegans as they have come into contact with animal products.

How to Store Vegan Wine

If you are thinking about investing in wine but don’t know where to store it, we at Elite Wine Refrigeration can help. 

Whether you are after freestanding, built-in wine coolers or wine cupboards, integrated and more, we have everything you need in one place.

Built-in wine coolers are excellent for those who have small kitchens with limited space as these wine coolers can be built into your kitchen cupboards. Freestanding wine coolers, however, are ideal if you have some extra space in your kitchen.

We offer a wide range of freestanding, built-in, and integrated wine coolers designed to keep your wine at the perfect temperature — and looking great in your kitchen or wine room.

Explore our wine cooler range and find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.