Vegan wine

When is a Wine Vegan?
Many people are not aware of the fact that not all wines are automatically vegan. Although wine is made from grapes, the production process can sometimes contain animal products. Especially during clarification and filtration.

The Winemaking Process and Animal Products
During wine production, grapes are pressed and the juice is fermented into wine. After fermentation, the wine may be cloudy due to the presence of proteins, yeast cells, tannins and other particles. To make the wine clear and stable, fining agents are used. Traditional fining agents are often of animal origin, such as:
Proteins: derived from eggs, used to bind tannins.
Casein: A milk protein used to clarify white wine.
Gelatin: Derived from animal bones and cartilage, used to remove bitterness.
Isinglass: made from the swim bladder of fish, used to clarify beer and wine.

Vegan Alternatives for Klaring
To make wines vegan, winemakers use plant-based or mineral alternatives to animal-based fining agents such as:
Bentonite: a type of clay that effectively removes proteins from wine.
Pea protein: a plant-based alternative that is becoming increasingly popular for clarifying wine.
Activated Carbon: Used to remove unwanted colors and flavors.
Kieselsol and Silica Gel: Mineral-based clarifying agents that aid in the removal of particulate matter.

Some winemakers choose not to clear or filter the wine at all, resulting in a naturally cloudy product. These wines can also be considered vegan.

A wine is vegan when no animal products are used during production, especially during the clarification process. By choosing vegan wine, you are making a conscious choice for animal welfare and sustainability. With more and more options available, it is now easier than ever to enjoy delicious vegan wines. Look for vegan certifications and information on the wine label.

Cheers to an ethical and tasteful wine experience!