- Isn\u2019t wine vegan to begin with?<\/a>
- How do I know if a wine is vegan?<\/a>
- What are some vegan wines worth trying?<\/a>
- Australia<\/a>
- Canada<\/a>
- Chile<\/a>
- France<\/a>
- Italy<\/a>
- South Africa<\/a>
- Spain<\/a>
- Switzerland<\/a>
- USA (Connecticut)<\/a>
- USA (Oregon)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- More Frequently Asked Questions about Vegan Wine<\/a>
- What wines are vegan?<\/a>
- Is vegan wine better for you?<\/a>
- How to tell if wine is vegan?<\/a><\/ul><\/ul><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n
Isn\u2019t wine vegan to begin with?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A lot of wine is, indeed, considered vegan (in case you\u2019re wondering\u2014yeast doesn\u2019t count). While unfiltered and mechanically filtered wines are commonplace today, many winemakers use fining agents derived from animal products such as egg albumen, gelatin, isinglass (a gelatinous substance made from fish bladders), and even seashells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RELATED:<\/strong> Plant-Based Food & Wine Pairing Suggestions<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Glass](\"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/how-do-I-know-if-a-wine-is-vegan.jpg\")
Vegan red wines can pair easily with many veggie-friendly dishes and appetizers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n How do I know if a wine is vegan?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The easiest way to know whether a wine is vegan is to simply look for labeling on the bottle. American organizations such as BeVeg<\/a>, Vegan Action<\/a> and the European Vegetarian Union’s V-Label<\/a> provide official certification services. And while vegan labeling on wine is becoming increasingly commonplace (just go to any Trader Joe\u2019s and you\u2019ll see what we mean), many producers either don\u2019t know about vegan labeling protocols or don\u2019t want to bother with the hassle or expense of certifying their products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Others, however, are enthusiastic about the opportunity. \u201cWe decided to go through the certification process back in 2016 as we were fielding many inquiries from our customers asking if our wines were made vegan,\u201d says Christine Clair, Winery Director at Oregon\u2019s Willamette Valley Vineyards. \u201cSince they were, we thought this would help shoppers be more informed. We really believe in truth-in-labeling!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re trying to stick to vegan wine and aren\u2019t worried about labels, you can simply run a search on Barnivore<\/a>, an online repository of wine, beer, and spirits to find your answer. Just note that the information on Barnivore is sometimes outdated, particularly as many wineries have made the shift to vegan-friendly filtering in recent years. When in doubt, your best bet is to always contact wineries directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
What are some vegan wines worth trying?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While vegan certification is more common in North America and Europe, you’ll find great vegan wines in nearly every wine-growing region on the planet. Many wines are vegan by default, while others take a more intentional approach to vegan winemaking. Here are just a few of our global favorites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Robinvale Wines, 2008 Kerner<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stemming from a marriage of Riesling and Trollinger grapes, this citrusy dry wine has taken home countless awards at wine competitions in Australia and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canada<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Le Mas des Patriotes, 2017 Delphinium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Made from a mix of Franco-American hybrid Baco Noir grapes and Atlantic Canada’s resilient Louise Swenson grapes, this garnet-hued brut rose offers delicate fruity and smoky flavors, while remaining delightfully dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Chile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ventisquero, Grey Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2018<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Made of grapes from the Trinidad Vineyard in Chile’s Maipo Valley, Ventisquero’s oak barrel-aged 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon balances a mix of fruit-forward and earthy notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
France<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
R\u00e9my Ferbras, C\u00f4tes du Rh\u00f4ne<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourv\u00e8dre grapes grown in the southern reaches of France\u2019s Rhone Valley, this ruby-hued wine was aged in stainless steel tanks in order to maintain its natural fruitiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Italy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Querciabella, Chianti Classico<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This much-lauded Sangiovese blends floral and berry aromas with rich fruits and tannins on the palate. It\u2019s the golden child of high-profile Tuscan winery Querciabella, known for their vegan approach to biodynamic winemaking (they use ceramic cow horns for the famous \u201cpreparation 500\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spier, 2017 Frans K Smit White Blend<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winemaker Frans K. Smit refers to this Bordeaux-style white–made primarily with Sauvignon Blanc grapes with just a bit of Semillon thrown in as “wonderfully flinty,” with notes such as gooseberry, passionfruit, and a touch of elderberry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Garcia Revalo, Harenna 2016<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This straw-hued wine is described by its producers as having an aroma of stone fruit and bitter citrus and being full-bodied and creamy on the palate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Switzerland<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Agriloro, Merlot Riserva dell’Or<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This Merlot from the tiny Italian-speaking part of Switzerland is described by its winemaker as “austere, intense, and persistent.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
USA (Connecticut)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- Is vegan wine better for you?<\/a>
- Canada<\/a>
- How do I know if a wine is vegan?<\/a>