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What is vegan wine?

All wine is vegan, right? Since it’s made using natural ingredients like grapes, yeast and sugar, you wouldn’t be wrong to assume all wine is naturally vegan. But that’s not the case, and you might be surprised to learn that some winemakers use animal products to create their wines.

Adopting a vegan lifestyle doesn’t mean sacrificing the finer things in life, including wine. Many wines are made to be vegan, but how can you tell which ones?

What is vegan wine?

Despite being predominantly made from grapes, wine isn’t automatically vegan.

The term ‘vegan wine’ refers to wine made following vegan-friendly production rules. This includes not using animal-derived products at any stage in the winemaking process. Vegan red wine, rosé wine, white wine and sparkling wines can all be made in a vegan-approved way.

However, remember that ‘vegan’ doesn’t automatically mean a wine is organic or sustainably produced – it solely refers to the absence of animal products in the production process. If environmental impact is a concern, it’s recommended to look for vegan and certified organic or biodynamic wines.

We have a wide range of vegan wines for you to explore.

How is vegan wine made?

During the winemaking process, wines are often clarified through a process called ‘fining’, which takes place after fermentation. Following fermentation, wines often appear cloudy due to natural proteins, yeast and other organic particles.

To make wines appear clear and bright, winemakers typically use fining agents to bind to the unwanted particles, making it easier to filter them out of the wine.

Traditionally, animal-derived fining agents are used, such as casein (milk protein), albumin (egg whites), gelatin (animal protein) or isinglass (fish bladder protein).

Although these are all removed from the wine after use, some remnants can linger – which means the wines can’t be considered suitable for vegans.

The good news for vegans is that there are alternatives to these animal-based fining agents.

Winemakers may use vegan-friendly fining agents such as activated charcoal, plant casein and bentonite (a type of clay). Alternatively, they could choose not to use a fining agent and allow the wine to self-fine, although this can take a long time.

Does vegan wine taste different from non-vegan wine?

A wine’s flavours depend on several factors, mainly the grape varieties used, how the wine is fermented, and how it’s been aged. The use of fining agents – whether vegan or not – doesn’t affect the overall taste of wine, even if some remnants remain in the finished wine.

However, fining itself can alter the intensity of a wine’s flavours. Natural or unfined vegan wines can have a stronger or more complex flavour profile than those fined.

Why should you drink vegan wine?

Wine lovers may choose to drink vegan wines for many reasons. From an ethical standpoint, vegan wines ensure no animal-derived products are used in their production, aligning with cruelty-free lifestyle choices.

Many vegan wine producers also make their wines in a way that is good for the environment by using organic or biodynamic methods. However, it’s worth noting that an organic or biodynamic wine does not automatically mean it is vegan.

How to choose a vegan wine

For Australian drinkers, the rise of vegan wines aligns with the increasing interest in veganism and conscious consumption. More wineries are adopting vegan-friendly practices and clearly labelling their bottles to cater to this demand. Australia even hosts a few wine producers who are fully vegan in all their offerings.

Although some vegan wines may have the Vegan Australia certification logo, not all are labelled as such. Instead, you may see the terms ’unfined/unfiltered’ to indicate that no fining agents, animal or otherwise, have been used. However, while unfiltered or unfined means that fining agents haven’t been used, there’s no guarantee that animal-derived products aren’t used in other stages, so if in doubt, check with the winemaker first.

Five delicious vegan wines to try today

Rainha Do Mar Castelão 2021

A fresh, ripe red from Portugal’s Setúbal Península, Rainha Do Mar Castelão 2021 is brimming with juicy raspberry flavours. Medium-bodied, smooth and rounded, enjoy this easy-drinking, vegan red with rich pasta dishes.

Champagne Brigitte Delmonte NV

Didn’t know sparkling wines could be vegan too? Prepared to be dazzled by Champagne Brigitte Delmonte NV, a gloriously creamy and dry Champagne made using 100% Pinot Noir. This fine fizz could be saved for a special occasion or enjoyed with fried dishes such as Japanese tempura.

Viña Nava Rosado 2021

Ripe and brilliantly fresh, Viña Nava Rosado 2021 is made in Spain’s most popular style of rosé. This very dry pink comes from the Navarra region, famous for its juicy summer berries and citrus-flavoured rosados. It pairs perfectly with traditional tapas.

RedHeads Harmonie Rox Chardonnay 2022

The oak-aged RedHeads Harmonie Rox Coonawarra 2022 is a vibrant Chardonnay with zesty lemon notes softened by a buttery creaminess and a hint of spice. RedHeads is committed to creating sustainable wines using greener production methods.

Pillastro Selezione D'Oro 2021

A rich and powerful red, Pillastro Primitivo 2021 is a full-bodied, complex wine. Expect bold, ripe fruit flavours that pair well with robust dishes such as mushroom bourguignon or a rich vegetable lasagna.

Discover our full range of vegan wines.