A Grape Escape for Everyone?

Ah, wine. The elixir of relaxation, the companion to celebrations, the liquid sunshine in a glass. But for some, the enjoyment of this delightful drink can be clouded by a question – is it vegan? Surely, wine is just fermented grape juice, right?

How vegan can a wine be? (Credit: ​​Anna Bratiychuk, unsplash.com)

Not quite. The journey from ripe grapes to bottled wine involves many different characters. Some of these characters may not come from plants.

The process includes various steps and people who contribute to creating the perfect sip in a bottle. Each step in the process is important and adds to the final product.

The Great Grape Transformation: From Cloudy to Clear

There's a hidden step in winemaking called "fining." Imagine a young wine – a bit hazy, like a shy debutante at her first ball.

Finings act like tiny magnets, attracting those shy grape skins and spent yeast particles that cause cloudiness. Bingo! Crystal-clear wine, ready to steal the show (or at least impress your dinner guests).

Here's the twist: some traditional fining agents come from animals. Historically, winemakers have clarified wine using animal-derived substances such as gelatin, casein, egg whites, and fish bladders.

Egg whites are often used as a fining agent  (Credit: Jasmin Egger)

People obtain gelatin from pig skin or bones, and they derive casein from milk. People have also used egg whites and fish bladders for this purpose. While filtration usually removes these agents, trace amounts might linger. For vegans, even a whisper of animal products can be a dealbreaker.

Vegan-Friendly Fining: A Toast to Innovation

Thankfully, the world of winemaking is as innovative as it is delicious. Enter vegan-friendly fining agents like bentonite clay and vegetable proteins.

These natural alternatives achieve the same clarifying magic without any animal involvement. So, raise a glass to these unsung heroes – the vegan guardians of clear, beautiful wines!

Organic vs. Vegan: A Distinction with a Difference

Hold on a vine-covered minute! Just because a wine is organic doesn't automatically make it vegan.

Organic farming focuses on sustainable vineyard practices, but it doesn't necessarily dictate what happens in the winery. Some think that using animal products like manure compost or horses for ploughing can invalidate a wine's vegan certification. This means that people may not consider the wine vegan-friendly.

Vegans may have concerns about winemakers using animal-derived products in the winemaking process. Consumers must be aware of how a product is made before consuming it. A fascinating ethical debate, too!

Vegan Wine at Vinovoss: A World of Delicious Discoveries

At Vinovoss, we understand the importance of choice. While many of the wines you find here are vegan-friendly, focusing solely on the winemaking process, we also highlight wines produced organically or biodynamically. That way, you can explore the world of wine with both your taste buds and your values in mind.

The Final Sip: Beyond Labels, a World of Flavor Awaits

The world of vegan wine is exciting and ever-evolving. Don't let labels limit your exploration! At Vinovoss, we're passionate about helping you discover delicious wines that align with your preferences. So, embark on a grape escape with us, vegan or not. There's a perfect bottle waiting to be uncorked, ready to tantalize your taste buds and leave you yearning for your next sip!

Lotte Gabrovits