Wine is often thought of as a naturally vegan beverage—after all, it’s made from fermented grapes, a fruit. Yet, many wines on the market are not vegan-friendly due to certain practices used in winemaking.
Understanding why some wines are vegan and others aren’t requires diving into the production process, especially the often overlooked step called “fining.”
This article explains how animal products enter winemaking, what vegans should watch for, and how to identify wines that align with a vegan lifestyle.
What Makes a Wine Vegan or Not?
At its core, wine is simply fermented grape juice. Grapes, yeast, and sometimes other natural ingredients make up the bulk of the process. None of these ingredients are animal-based.
However, the complication arises during fining — a process winemakers use to clarify, stabilize, and improve the wine’s taste and appearance by removing unwanted particles like proteins, yeast cells, and tannins.
Some fining agents are animal-derived, meaning the wine is filtered through substances made from animals, which leaves traces that are not considered vegan.
What is Fining in Winemaking?
Fining involves adding a substance (called a fining agent) to the wine to bind with unwanted particles so they clump together and can be removed easily. This step helps remove haze, bitterness, or cloudiness in the finished wine.
Without fining, many wines would appear cloudy or have off-flavors that reduce their quality.
Common Animal-Derived Fining Agents
Many traditional fining agents come from animals. Here are some of the most common:
-
Isinglass: Derived from fish bladders, commonly used to clarify white wines and beers.
-
Gelatin: Made from animal collagen, typically from pork or beef, used to soften tannins and clarify red wines.
-
Casein: A milk protein used mainly in white wines to remove browning and off-flavors.
-
Albumin: Egg whites used primarily in red wines to reduce astringency and smooth tannins.
-
Chitosan: Derived from shellfish shells, occasionally used as a fining agent.
Since these agents are animal products, wines fined with them are not vegan.
Are These Animal Products Left in the Wine?
One important point: most of these fining agents are removed or filtered out before bottling, so the finished wine typically contains little to no actual animal protein.
However, because animal products are used during processing, many vegans avoid such wines. Strict veganism excludes any product made with or tested on animals, regardless of trace amounts.
Vegan-Friendly Alternatives in Winemaking
Fortunately, many wineries use vegan-friendly fining agents or avoid fining altogether. Some common vegan fining agents include:
-
Bentonite clay: A natural clay that absorbs proteins and other particles.
-
Activated charcoal: Used to remove off-flavors.
-
Pea protein: A newer, plant-based fining agent.
-
PVPP (Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone): A synthetic polymer used to remove phenolics.
-
Silica gel: Helps clarify and stabilize wine.
These agents perform the same clarifying functions without animal involvement.
How to Identify Vegan Wines
1. Look for Vegan Certification or Labeling
More producers are labeling wines as “vegan” or “suitable for vegans.” Certification organizations like The Vegan Society provide logos and assurances.
2. Check Producer Websites
Winery websites often disclose their fining methods and whether their wines are vegan-friendly.
3. Use Apps and Online Resources
Apps like Barnivore maintain updated databases of vegan wines, beers, and spirits.
4. Ask at the Store or Restaurant
Wine retailers or sommeliers can often help identify vegan options.
Does Organic or Natural Wine Mean Vegan?
Not necessarily. Organic wine refers to grapes grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Natural wine often means minimal intervention in winemaking.
Neither guarantees that animal-derived fining agents were avoided. Always check specifically for vegan status.
Why Do Winemakers Use Animal-Derived Fining Agents?
Animal fining agents have been traditionally favored for their effectiveness and low cost. They can precisely target certain particles, especially tannins, leading to a desired texture and clarity.
Changing to vegan alternatives sometimes requires experimentation to achieve the same quality and taste, which can deter some producers.
The Growing Demand for Vegan Wines
With more consumers adopting vegan lifestyles or reducing animal product consumption, demand for vegan wines is rising. This shift encourages more wineries to switch to plant-based or mineral fining agents and to market their wines as vegan.
The rise of vegan-friendly wines also benefits people with allergies to dairy or eggs.
Why Some Wines Are Vegan and Others Aren’tWhat About Champagne and Sparkling Wines?
Many sparkling wines and champagnes use traditional animal-derived fining agents as well. However, vegan options are increasingly available, so check labels or producer info.
Conclusion
While wine might seem like a straightforward vegan beverage, the use of animal-derived fining agents complicates the picture. Whether a wine is vegan depends largely on the clarifying agents used during production.
By understanding fining, checking labels and resources, and choosing producers who use vegan-friendly practices, consumers can confidently enjoy wines that align with their values.
As the vegan wine market grows, more options will become available, making it easier than ever to enjoy great-tasting wines without compromise.
