Vegan Wine: What's Allowed And What's Not?

Wine is usually made from grapes and yeast, and many people assume that all wine is vegan. However, 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 (crustacean shell polymer), casein (milk protein), egg albumen (derived from egg whites), and isinglass (gelatin from fish bladder membranes). While these agents are removed after the filtering process, traces of them can still be present in the wine. However, there are plenty of vegan-friendly wines available, and some winemakers are choosing non-animal-derived fining agents or no fining agents at all.

Wine is made from grapes, so it's vegan, right?

The fact is, not all wines are vegan-friendly. The presence of animal products in wine is often linked to the filtration or fining process. After fermentation, the wine is often cloudy due to the presence of substances like proteins, tartrates, phenolics, and tannins. While these substances are harmless, consumers and retailers often prefer a clear, smooth wine. To achieve this, winemakers use fining agents, which act as magnets to attract and remove unwanted molecules.

The issue arises as some of these fining agents are derived from animal products. Commonly used non-vegan fining agents include fish bladder gelatin (isinglass), chitin (crustacean shell polymer), casein (milk protein), egg albumen (derived from egg whites), and gelatin (from boiling animal parts). Although these agents are removed after the filtration process, traces of them may remain in the wine, making it unsuitable for those following a plant-based diet.

The good news is that there are vegan alternatives to fining agents. Some winemakers use pea gelatin, silica gel, silica clay, or kaolin (clay mineral) as fining agents. Additionally, organic and biodynamic wines may not be filtered at all, allowing them to self-fine without the use of any agents. These wines are often labelled as "Unfined/Unfiltered". With the rising demand for vegan options, more and more winemakers are opting for non-animal-derived fining agents, making it easier to find vegan-friendly wines.

So, while wine starts as a vegan product—being made from grapes—the use of animal-derived fining agents in the winemaking process can make certain wines unsuitable for those following a vegan diet. However, with a bit of research and the help of resources like Barnivore.com, it is possible to find delicious vegan wines to enjoy.

Animal products used in the fining process

Wine is made from grapes, but it often includes animal products during the fining process. Fining is a process where a substance (usually a fining agent) is added to the wine to create a bond with the suspended particles in the wine, producing larger particles that will precipitate out of the wine more rapidly. Fining agents can be animal, carbon, or clay-based. Animal-based fining agents include gelatin, isinglass, egg whites (also called egg albumen), and casein.

Isinglass, a substance obtained from fish bladders, is one of the most prevalent animal-based fining agents used in winemaking. It is used to clear white wines, and only small amounts are needed due to its potency.

Gelatin, another common animal-based fining agent, is made from boiling animal parts, typically pig skin for wine. It is potent and effective, with just one ounce needed to clarify 1,000 gallons of wine. Gelatin is used in both white and red wines to fix haze and colour issues and adjust flavour and bitterness.

Casein is the main protein found in cow's milk and is used in both red and white wines to clarify and prevent oxidation. It is derived by skimming milk of its fat and then separating the remaining particles through precipitation.

Egg albumen, or egg whites, are used in the clarification of red wines to remove excess tannins.

Other animal-derived products used in the fining process include blood and bone marrow, chitin (fibre from crustacean shells), fish oil, and beeswax.

The use of animal-derived products in winemaking is a concern for vegans and vegetarians. While the fining agents are filtered out of the wine, labelling requirements vary, and these additives are often not listed on the bottle. However, some wines are labelled as 'vegan', and there are online resources and certification companies that provide information on vegan wines.

How to find vegan wine

Wine is typically made from grapes, but animal products are occasionally used in the creation of wine. These animal products are usually introduced during the fining process, where a substance (usually a fining agent) is added to the wine to create a bond with the suspended particles in the wine, making it easier to filter them out. Common fining agents include fish guts, egg whites, gelatin, and casein (milk protein).

• Check the label: Some wines are labelled as 'vegan', such as those carrying the Vegan Trademark offered by the Vegan Society. However, labelling is voluntary, and not all vegan wines are labelled as such. Under the Food Standards Code, the use of any fining agents that are potential allergens must be declared on the back label, so be sure to read the label carefully.
• Research online: Winemakers typically do not print the fining agents used on the bottle labels, so you may need to do some online research on a particular brand of wine. Websites like Barnivore offer a vegan beverage directory and can be a helpful resource for checking if a specific wine is vegan.
• Look for unfiltered wine: Unfiltered, unrefined, non-fined, or unclarified wines are likely to be vegan since they have not undergone a filtration process that may involve animal products.
• Contact wineries directly: Some wineries may produce vegan wines but not publicize it, so it's worth calling or emailing the winery to ask if they offer vegan options.
• Download a vegan wine app: Apps like "Vegan Wines" (Android) or "Vegaholic" (iOS) can be handy for quickly looking up specific wine brands to determine if they are vegan.
• Explore local options: Check with your local wine stores or supermarkets to see if they carry any vegan wine brands. You can also contact local wineries to inquire about their wine-making processes and ask if they produce vegan wines.

The health risks of alcohol

Wine, like any other alcoholic drink, is not guaranteed to be vegan. Animal products can be introduced during the production process, such as when the wine is filtered prior to bottling. For example, isinglass, a substance obtained from fish bladders, is sometimes used in the fining process to create a bond with the suspended particles in the wine, resulting in larger particles that can be removed more easily. Other animal products used in this process include egg whites, gelatin, casein (milk protein), and albumen (egg whites). These ingredients are often not listed on the labels since alcohol is typically exempt from the labelling requirements of other food products.

While choosing vegan wines may align with your values and beliefs, it is important to understand that vegan alcohol does not necessarily mean healthier alcohol. The biggest health risks associated with alcoholic drinks come from the alcohol content itself. Excessive alcohol consumption can have both immediate and long-term negative consequences on your health. Here are some of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption:

Short-term effects:

• Injuries and accidents: Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.
• Violence: Alcohol misuse is linked to a higher risk of homicide, suicide, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence.
• Alcohol poisoning: High blood alcohol levels can affect vital body functions like breathing and heart rate and can even lead to death.
• Overdose: Mixing alcohol with other drugs, especially opioids, can lead to a dangerous overdose.
• Unprotected sex and unplanned pregnancy: Alcohol impairs judgment and reduces inhibitions, leading to a higher risk of unprotected sex and unplanned pregnancies.
• Miscarriage and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD): Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can result in miscarriage or cause serious harm to the developing fetus, leading to conditions such as FASD.

Long-term effects:

• Cancer: Alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including head and neck cancer (oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx cancers), esophageal cancer, and breast cancer. Even moderate drinking can increase the risk of certain cancers.
• Cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias: Long-term excessive drinking can damage the heart, leading to conditions such as stretching and drooping of the heart muscle and irregular heartbeats.
• High blood pressure: Heavy drinking contributes to high blood pressure, which can further increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
• Liver disease: Alcohol takes a toll on the liver, leading to inflammation and conditions such as steatosis, or fatty liver.
• Pancreatitis: Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can lead to dangerous inflammation and impair its ability to produce enzymes and hormones necessary for proper digestion.
• Weakened immune system: Chronic drinking weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
• Mental health issues: Excessive alcohol use is associated with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, as well as learning problems and memory issues, including dementia.
• Social and relationship problems: Heavy drinking can lead to issues at school or work, as well as strained relationships with family and friends.

It is important to note that the health risks associated with alcohol increase with the amount consumed. The UK Chief Medical Officers' (CMO) low-risk drinking guidelines advise drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week for both men and women to keep health risks at a low level. It is also recommended to spread your drinking over several days and have multiple drink-free days each week.

The environmental impact of animal farming

Animal agriculture has a vast environmental footprint and is a leading cause of deforestation, water and air pollution, and biodiversity loss. It is the second-largest contributor to human-made greenhouse gas emissions after fossil fuels.

Land and Water Degradation

Animal farming requires a significant amount of land and water. Around 30% of the earth's land surface is used for livestock farming, and nearly 16% of global freshwater is used to grow livestock. A third of worldwide grain production is used to feed livestock, and massive forest clearing leads to animal extinctions.

Climate Change

Livestock farming contributes 18% of human-produced greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, more than all emissions from transport. It is estimated that by 2050, consumption of meat and dairy products is expected to rise by 76% and 64%, respectively, which will increase the resource burden from the industry.

Biodiversity Loss

Animal agriculture is one of the leading drivers of global deforestation and is linked to 75% of historic deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. Nearly a third of biodiversity loss to date has been linked to animal agriculture.

Water Pollution

Livestock farming is the largest contributor to global water pollution. Global livestock produce seven to nine times more sewage than humans, most of which is left untreated. They also discharge pesticides, antibiotics, and heavy metals into water systems.

Air Pollution

Animal agriculture contributes to air pollution through methane emissions from livestock manure and the burning of fossil fuels to produce mineral fertilizers for feed production.

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