Wine And Plant-Based Diets: What's The Verdict?

Wine is made from grapes and yeast, so it may seem surprising that not all wines are suitable for a plant-based diet. However, some wines contain animal products, which are added during the fining process. Fining agents are added to filter the wine, to ensure it is clear, fresh and smooth. Some common fining agents include fish bladder gelatin, chitin (a crustacean shell polymer), egg whites, and casein. These animal products make the wine unsuitable for a plant-based diet. However, some winemakers use plant-based alternatives, such as pea gelatine, silica gel, silica clay, or kaolin (clay mineral). These plant-based wines are suitable for vegans and those on a plant-based diet.

Wine and a plant-based diet: health benefits and risks

Wine is essentially made from fermented grapes, so it may seem like an obvious inclusion in a plant-based diet. However, it's not that simple. While many wines are suitable for vegans and those on plant-based diets, some wines contain animal products.

The fermentation process, where yeast is added to grapes, triggers a reaction that results in alcohol, heat, and bubbles. This process also gives wine a cloudy appearance due to floating molecules like phenolics, tartrates, and tannins. While these molecules are natural and harmless, many winemakers prefer clearer, smoother wine. This is achieved through the fining process, where fining agents are added to filter the wine, ensuring it is clear, fresh, and smooth.

The issue is that many fining agents contain animal products, such as fish bladder gelatin, chitin (a crustacean shell polymer), egg whites, or blood. Even though these agents are removed, traces of animal products may remain, making the wine unsuitable for those on a plant-based diet.

Fortunately, some winemakers use plant-based alternatives for fining agents, such as pea gelatin, silica gel, silica clay, or kaolin. These wines are suitable for vegans and those on plant-based diets. Additionally, organic wines tend to have higher levels of resveratrol, an antioxidant with anti-aging and potential cancer-fighting properties.

Health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption

Moderate alcohol consumption, defined as one to two drinks per day, has been linked to several health benefits. Studies show that it can reduce the risk of heart disease, with alcohol raising HDL ("good") cholesterol and lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Moderate drinking may also decrease fibrinogen levels, which is positive for heart health. Additionally, red wine is rich in polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in plant foods and can contribute to a healthy plant-based diet.

Risks of alcohol consumption

It is important to emphasize that excessive alcohol consumption can have severe negative consequences. Heavy drinking can lead to obesity, impulsive behaviour, and low-quality food choices. It is also associated with early dementia, an increased risk of stroke, and liver damage. Alcohol can also negatively impact mental health, contributing to stress, anxiety, and self-harm. Therefore, it is crucial to practise moderation when consuming alcohol, regardless of dietary choices.

Animal products in wine

Wine is made from grapes, but that doesn't necessarily make it suitable for a plant-based diet. Some winemaking methods use animal-derived products, which is why an increasing number of producers state whether the wine is vegan or vegetarian on the label.

Wine is made from fermented grapes. Fermentation is the process of adding yeast to grapes, triggering a reaction in the naturally occurring sugars in the grapes. This process has several outcomes, including heat, bubbles, and alcohol. Fermentation can give the wine a hazy or cloudy appearance, with molecules such as phenolics, tartrates, and tannins floating around. While these molecules are completely natural and harmless to drink, many people prefer clearer, smoother wine.

This is where the fining process comes in. Fining agents are added to the wine to create a bond with the suspended particles, producing larger particles that will precipitate out of the wine more rapidly. Animal products are often used as these "processing aids", which are then filtered out. While fining can be used to correct winemaking faults like off flavours, colours, cloudiness, or to smooth tannins, it's often done to stabilise wine that hasn't had time to clarify itself naturally over time.

• Blood and bone marrow
• Casein (milk protein)
• Chitin (fibre from crustacean shells)
• Egg albumen (derived from egg whites)
• Fish oil
• Gelatin (derived from boiling animal parts, including bones, flesh, and ligaments)
• Isinglass (gelatin from fish bladder membranes)

The use of animal products in the fining process can leave a trace of the animal product in the wine, making it unsuitable for those on a plant-based diet. However, there are alternative fining agents that are animal-friendly and can be used to make vegan wine. These include carbon, bentonite clay, limestone, kaolin clay, plant casein, silica gel, and vegetable plaques.

So, while not all wines are suitable for a plant-based diet due to the use of animal products in the fining process, there are vegan and vegetarian wines available that use alternative fining agents. It's important to read labels carefully and do your research to ensure the wine aligns with your dietary preferences.

Wine and a plant-based diet: environmental impact

Wine is made from grapes, which are crushed and fermented to form alcohol. Grapes are grown by farmers, and wine production involves several processes that can impact the environment. The environmental impact of wine on a plant-based diet can be examined through various stages, from grape farming to wine consumption.

Grape farming and environmental impact

Firstly, grape farming practices can significantly affect the environment. Conventional grape farming often involves the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, which can contaminate soil, water sources, and harm surrounding wildlife. However, some wineries embrace sustainable practices, such as minimal intervention viticulture, where producers limit their use of chemicals and pesticides. Sustainable grape farming methods can help reduce the environmental footprint of wine production by preserving biodiversity, conserving water, and minimising pollution.

Wine production and processing

The wine production process also has environmental implications. During fermentation, yeast is added to the grapes, triggering a reaction in their natural sugars to create alcohol. This process can be energy-intensive, requiring controlled temperatures and specific equipment. Additionally, the fining process, used to clarify and stabilise the wine, often involves animal-based fining agents like egg whites, fish bladder, or gelatin. These animal-based products raise concerns for those on a plant-based diet, as they are not plant-derived. However, alternative fining agents like pea gelatin, silica gel, or clay are sometimes used, making the wine suitable for plant-based diets.

Transportation and distribution

The transportation and distribution of wine also contribute to its environmental impact. Wine is often shipped over long distances, leading to carbon emissions from fuel consumption. Additionally, the packaging and cooling requirements for wine distribution can further increase its carbon footprint.

Wine consumption and waste

Finally, wine consumption and waste management are important considerations. Wine bottles are typically made of glass, which is recyclable but energy-intensive to produce and transport. The disposal of wine bottles and corks can contribute to landfill waste if not properly recycled. Furthermore, the responsible consumption of wine is essential, as excessive drinking can lead to health issues and impact an individual's environmental footprint.

Environmental benefits of plant-based wines

Plant-based wines offer several environmental advantages. Firstly, they eliminate the use of animal-based fining agents, reducing the demand for animal products and the associated environmental impacts of animal agriculture, such as land use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, plant-based wines often use clay-based fining agents or proteins derived from plants, which can be more sustainable and biodegradable.

In conclusion, the environmental impact of wine on a plant-based diet depends on various factors, including grape farming practices, wine production processes, transportation, and consumption patterns. Sustainable grape farming, eco-friendly wine production, responsible consumption, and the use of plant-based fining agents can all contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of wine within a plant-based diet.

Pairing wine with plant-based dishes

Wine is often made from grapes and yeast, leading many to believe that all wines are vegan. However, this is not always the case. Some wines contain animal products, which are added during the fining process, where fining agents are added to filter the wine and ensure that it is clear, fresh, and smooth. These fining agents can include animal products such as fish bladder gelatin, chitin (a crustacean shell polymer), egg whites, fish oil, blood, and milk proteins. While these agents are removed once the wine has been fined, a trace of the animal product may remain, making the wine unsuitable for those on a plant-based diet.

Fortunately, there are plenty of vegan wines available, which use alternative fining agents such as pea gelatine, silica gel, silica clay, or kaolin (clay mineral). Many wines are also unfined, which gives them extra flavour and texture.

When pairing wines with plant-based foods, the usual rule of "red wines with dark meat, white wines with light meat" does not apply. Instead, it is often easier to pair white wines, rosés, and sparkling wines with plant-based dishes. According to Elizabeth Woessner, a Denver-based sommelier and wine instructor, "Wines should have more acid and sweetness than the foods you are pairing them with".

When pairing wines with vegan dishes, consider the sauces, spices, herbs, and fats/oils used in the dish. For example, a leafy salad would pair well with a crisp sauvignon blanc, while a hearty vegan lasagna would go better with a fuller-bodied red, like a zinfandel. Another good rule of thumb is "what grows together goes together", as food and wine that share the same climate and soil will often complement each other.

• Red Curry: White wines like a Reisling are a default pairing for spicy Indian food, but a Pinot Noir is a nice variation for a red that plays well with vegetables like sweet potato, cauliflower, and bell pepper.
• Tempura: Light and crispy tempura-battered veggies will pair well with champagne like Moet and Chandon, or a Michel Gonet Brut Reserve sparkling wine.
• Vegan Pad Thai: Spicy Thai dishes will pair well with a floral and citrusy Honeywood Gewurztraminer or a Cave de Ribeauville Gewurztraminer Collection from Alsace.
• Falafel: Mediterranean dishes like falafel can pair well with a Chenin Blanc, like one from New Zealand’s Loveblock Wines, or a Basile Arteteca Vermentino.
• Veggie Lasagna: A vegan Chianti or a Castello di Meleto Chianti Classico would pair well with a tomato-based sauce and dense vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
• Tofu Tacos with Chipotle Sauce: The spice of smoky chipotle sauce needs a crisp, cold wine with floral notes like an Australian Torbreck viognier or a Nicolas Croze Cote du Rhone Les 3 Grains Blanc.

How to find vegan wines

Wine is made from grapes and yeast, so it may seem surprising that not all wines are vegan-friendly. However, animal products are often introduced during the fining process, which clarifies and stabilises the wine, removing any haze or cloudiness.

Some common non-vegan fining agents include:

• Isinglass (from fish bladders)
• Gelatin (from boiled cow or pig body parts)
• Albumin (egg whites)
• Casein (animal milk protein)
• Fish oil
• Blood
• Chitin (crustacean shell polymer)

Fortunately, many winemakers now use vegan fining agents, such as pea gelatine, silica gel, silica clay, or kaolin (clay mineral). Some winemakers even skip the fining process altogether by allowing the wine to settle before decanting it into bottles.

To find vegan wines, you can use online resources such as Barnivore, which has a comprehensive database of vegan alcohol. If you encounter a wine that is not listed in Barnivore's database, you can contact the vineyard directly to inquire about their fining practices. You can also memorise some widely distributed vegan wine brands, such as Charles Shaw from Trader Joe's (red wines only).

When in doubt, it is always best to check the ingredients or reach out to the manufacturer to confirm whether a particular wine is suitable for a plant-based diet.

Frequently asked questions