What Makes Wine Not Vegan?

Is all wine vegan? 

The short of it is no, not all wine is vegan-friendly – but don’t be disheartened if you’re new to plant-based living. This doesn’t have to be an obstacle, as there are so many great bottles that are perfect for vegans of any wine preference. 

Full-bodied, sweet or crisp – you name it, it’s out there. 

What makes some wine not suitable for vegans?

In simpler times (AKA, the past) the winemaking process happened over a long time, which naturally allowed grapes to ferment at a natural speed. The process would see the solids sediments separate away from the liquid, or unrefined wine. 

As the demand for wine production increased, vintners were forced to speed up the process from grape to bottle using a technique called fining. Unfortunately, many of the catalysts used aren’t vegan-friendly. These include:

• Animal gelatin which is used to brighten whites and broaden reds’ flavours. 
• Casein (milk protein) which is used in some Sauvignon Blancs, again for clarity of colour.
• Isinglass (gelatin from fish bladders) which is again used for the same reason in whites.

The use of any of these fining agents means the wine they help produce isn’t considered vegan. 

Our favourite vegan wines

If all of this blog reading has been thirsty work, then check out our guide to the best vegan-friendly wines on offer in the UK.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.