V e g a n  W i n e s

Awareness about vegetarian and vegan issues around the world was heightened, particularly in the United Kingdom, in the light of BSE or mad cow disease. Both organic and non-organic winemakers frequently use animal products during production to clear or fine the wine to keep it from turning cloudy for example, or to remove off tastes and flavors.

It is the nature of the agents used during the fining process that determines the suitability of wine for vegans. Fining works by electrostatic attraction - if the element in the wine that needs to be removed has a negative charge, then a fining agent with a positive charge will be added. The fining agent thus acts as a magnet, and collects the unwanted matter in the wine, which sinks to the bottom of the tank. Then the clear wine is racked or decanted off the sediment into a clean tank. Only minute traces if any are left in the finished wine.

Common fining agents that are not derived from animals and are thus suitable for vegan wine drinkers include: bentonite clay, diatomaceous earth, carbon, and kaolin (similar to bentonite clay). For a wine to be classified as vegan, however, no animal derived products of any kind can be used in the clarification/fining process. Agents of animal origin commonly used range from egg whites, egg albumin, casein (milk protein), chitin (obtained from lobster and crab shells), gelatin (derived from animal bones) and isinglass (a fish by-product). For this reason, we have included and identified wines that are suitable for vegans.

It should be noted that while a wine may be suitable for vegans in one vintage, in the following vintage the same producer might decide to use an animal derived fining agent. So, if in doubt about the vegan status of wine you wish to drink, it is wise to check directly with the producer or the importer.

All of our vegan wines are listed in a separate category on our wine list for your convenience. We carry a selection of organic/vegan red, white, sparkling and dessert wines, as well as offer a Vegan 3-bottle SAMPLER. Browse our selection online HERE or call us at toll free: 1-888-ECO-WINE (1-888-326-9463). If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at info@ecowine.com.