Everything you need to know about what makes wine vegan

You may be under the impression that wine is automatically vegan; after all, isn’t it just fermented grape juice? In this post, we’ll cover some common questions about vegan wine and vegan winemaking. We’ll explain how it’s made and how vegan wine differs from conventional wine. We’ll debunk some common misconceptions about a wine’s ingredients and how you can actually improve your diet with vegan wine.

Isn’t all wine vegan?

No, all wine is not vegan.

When we think of wine, we typically think of grapes. Grapes are vegan, of course (as long as the fertilizers used to harvest them don’t contain animal by-products). As is yeast, which is also involved in the winemaking process and relies on sugar. 

The reason all wine is not vegan is because of the process used to make it. Conventional winemaking relies on a “fining” process to clarify and stabilize it. When newly made wine is clarified, large particles like tartrates and proteins are removed, which clears the hazy wine.

Traditionally, the clarification process relies on animal products, including casein from milk, egg whites, gelatin, and fish bladder proteins. In order to achieve vegan wine, the clarification process must use non-animal-based products.

What animal products are typically found in the non-vegan winemaking process?

Animal products that are commonly found in the non-vegan winemaking process include milk proteins, fish proteins, and other animal-based products. 

Non-vegan fining products typically include:

• Casein 
• Albumin 
• Gelatin 
• Isinglass 

Vegan wine fining uses plant-based products, including:

• Bentonite 
• Volcanic clay
• Charcoal 

Another way to ensure a wine is vegan is to skip the fining process altogether. Gravity helps settle large particles so they can be separated from the final product. Vegan wines made this way are typically labeled “unfined,” and are completely plant-based. Kosher certifications also prohibit animal products in the winemaking process and offer a similar guarantee.

Fertilization of the grapes

The way the grapes are grown is also important. As mentioned, certain fertilizers or plant-care products  contain non-plant-based chemicals or components.

Non-plant based fertilizers can be used for the soil, but in order for a wine to be certified vegan, they cannot be applied directly to the grapes on the vine. 

A vegan winemaking process may also use biodynamic methods like following the lunar cycle, employing sustainable practices, and barring chemicals, while eliminating non-vegan fertilizers like cow horns. 

What does a wine’s vegan certification actually mean?

Vegan certification, identified by the Certified Vegan Logo trademark, guarantees that the product is vegan. This means it contains no animal ingredients or animal by-products, uses no animal ingredient or by-product in the manufacturing process, and was not tested on animals. 

It’s also important to remember that just because wine isn’t labeled as vegan doesn’t mean it is not vegan. Often, high-quality winemaking may utilize clean and vegan preparation techniques and simply doesn’t have a vegan certification visible if the producer hasn’t applied for a vegan trademark. Make sure to ask.

Does vegan certification affect the taste of the wine or its quality? 

Yes. Vegan wine is free of conventional chemicals or animal products. People often describe the resulting taste as pure and fresh, as well as cleaner and easier to digest. With a vegan wine, you know you will be consuming only clean, high-quality fermented fruit. The benefits of drinking it will be even purer. 

Our wines are high quality, vegan, and award-winning. We like to think that vegan certification improves the taste of wine!

Vegan wine is good for the earth and the economy!

Another perk of vegan wine is that it is usually sustainably and organically farmed. This means it is good for the earth and the economy. It is part of a vegan diet too, which has a lot of benefits.

• Simple, high-quality ingredients
• No cruelty to animals
• Raw, pure foods
• Healing, detoxifying fruits and vegetables

When selecting a wine, vegan wine is a great option for many reasons.

Domaine Bousquet vegan wines are free from the animal ingredients found in conventional wines and contain absolutely no animal products or by-products. Our vegan wines will delight you without skimping on quality or taste.

Want to know more about what goes into making our delectable vegan wines? Send us a message!