What makes wine vegetarian

For red wine, it has historically always been egg whites known as albumin , while for white wine it was milk protein known as casein. Once the fining process has been complete, the agents used are removed. However, due to the nature of wine, tiny traces of the animal product can be absorbed, thus making it non-vegan. With the rise of veganism, along with an increased desire for organic and biodynamic wines, winemakers across the world are taking note and adopting a more natural approach.

If wines are left to develop completely naturally, they will usually self-fine, reducing the need to introduce animal products into the process. Generally speaking though, it can be difficult to figure out if a wine is vegan by looking at the label alone. Maybe that soy cheese contains casein, a protein found in dairy milk. The wine world remains one of the trickier terrains for vegans and vegetarians to navigate. Wine has no laws in the U. Gelatin, egg white, and casein a milk protein are all used as fining agents at the end of the winemaking chain to reduce tannins, which can make a wine astringent.

Isinglass, the same kinds of fish bladders that used to make Guinness a no-go for vegans, is used in white wines to remove particulate matter and make them extremely clear. The Food Safety Modernization Act, passed in , has heated up discussion of potential requirements, but as of , there are no clear answers on whether that will actually be implemented.

Some wineries see the value in ingredient-labeling independent of any governmental regulation, such as Bonny Doon Vineyard, which has been operating since in Santa Cruz, California. A touch of nostalgia from a beloved Spanish holiday? How about egg whites, fish swim bladders or milk products? You might not taste them, but these products are sometimes used in the wine production process.

This means that, contrary to expectations, not all wines are suitable for vegetarians. In fact, Tesco found that only 50 percent of its own range was free from animal protein, while even fewer were vegan-friendly.

The issue is fining. This is part of the production process that helps wine look clear, reducing unwanted flavours and even helping wine to taste smoother at a young age. Most winemakers use mineral products like bentonite but some use animal products such as isinglass fish bladders , gelatin, milk protein and egg whites.

While for some, the very suggestion of these ingredients is enough to send back the Shiraz, plenty of vegetarians choose to turn a blind eye to the use of animal products in winemaking.

Also, the majority of fining agents are vegetarian or vegan-friendly.