Behind the Label: How Vegan Wines Are Made

On a cosy evening while spending time with yourself, has the thought ever crossed your mind: “What makes a wine vegan?” When you hear people talking about vegan wines, you might think it’s just a trendy thing. But there is no doubt that there are a lot of interesting events going on behind the scenes. Today, let’s dive into how vegan wines are made and why they’re becoming so popular. Whether you’re shopping for vegan wines online or checking out different vegan wine brands, understanding the process can make your wine choices even more enjoyable!

First things first: what does it mean for a wine to be vegan? In simple terms, vegan wine is made without using animal products or by-products in the winemaking process. Regular wines can sometimes contain ingredients like egg whites or fish bladders, which help clear the wine and make it look nice and shiny. But vegan wines don’t use any of these animal products.

The Basics of Winemaking

To understand vegan wines, it helps to know a little bit about how regular wines are made. The winemaking process starts with grapes. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Harvesting: Grapes are picked from the vineyard.
• Crushing: The grapes are then crushed in order to release their juice.
• Fermentation: The juice is fermented with yeast, turning sugars into alcohol.
• Ageing: The wine is aged in barrels or tanks to develop its flavours.
• Filtering and Bottling: Finally, the wine is filtered to remove any remaining particles and then bottled.

The Role of Clarifying Agents

Here’s where the difference comes in. Regular wines often use clarifying agents to make the wine clear and bright. These agents help remove tiny particles that can make the wine look cloudy. Some common clarifying agents are:

• Egg Whites: These are used to remove tannins (bitter compounds) from red wines.
• Fish Bladders: Known as isinglass, this helps to clarify the wine by removing impurities.

Absolutely! Let's delve deeper into these vegan-friendly clarifying agents used in wine making:

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is a natural, fine-grained clay that comes from volcanic ash. It is basically made up of minerals like montmorillonite, which have a high absorption capacity.Bentonite clay comes in handy in removing proteins from wines. These proteins can cause cloudiness or haze. The clay forms a gel-like substance when added to wine that attracts and binds with these protein particles. Once bound, the particles become heavier and settle at the bottom of the fermentation vessel. This process is known as fining and it helps clarify the wine.Bentonite clay is completely plant-based and doesn’t involve any animal products in its production or application. It’s also environmentally friendly because it doesn’t introduce any harmful chemicals into the wine making process.

Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is also known as activated charcoal. It is, in the simplest of terms, a form of carbon that has been processed to have a high surface area. This makes it highly effective when it comes to adsorbing various substances.Activated carbon is used in winemaking to remove unwanted flavours, odours as well as colours. It has a porous structure that allows it to trap and remove compounds that can have a negative effect on the wine’s taste and appearance. This is particularly useful for correcting off-flavours or adjusting the colour of the wine.Activated carbon is derived from natural materials such as coconut shells, wood, or peat, and is processed without animal-derived substances. Its production does not involve animal products thereby making it suitable for vegan wines.

Silica Gel

Silica gel is a form of silicon dioxide that is granular as well as porous. It is quite often used as a desiccant to control moisture. But when it comes to winemaking, it serves a different purpose.In the context of winemaking, silica gel is used to remove fine particles and stabilise the wine. It works by binding with suspended particles and also aiding in their removal during filtration. This helps achieve a clear and bright wine.Silica gel is a mineral-based product but it does not involve animal-derived materials in its production. It is entirely plant-based and suitable for vegan wines.

Popular Vegan Wine Brands

There are many great vegan wine brands out there, and each has its own unique flavour profile. Here are a few popular ones you might want to try:

• Olianas: Located 60km north of Cagliari, the Olianas vineyards have been part of Artemio Olianas’s family since the year 1919. 
• Tinpot Wines: Tinpot Wines is a solo venture taken up by winemaker Fiona Turner. They established their vineyard in the year 2003 and have been producing quality wines ever since.
• Château Macquin: The south-facing vines of Château Macquin range from 15 - 60 years old and produce a wine with an alluring nose with ripe red cherry, graphite, and fine-grained tannins with lifted acidity. 

Vegan Wines are on the Rage! Get yours today!

Choosing vegan wines isn’t just about avoiding animal products. It’s also about supporting a more sustainable and ethical winemaking process. By opting for vegan wines, you’re helping to reduce the impact on animals and the environment. Plus, you’re getting to enjoy a delicious glass of wine knowing that it aligns with your values.Understanding how vegan wines are made can make your wine-shopping experience more enjoyable. By choosing vegan wines and ordering them online from Baggot Street Wines, you’re supporting a more ethical and sustainable way of winemaking. Whether you’re browsing vegan wines online or visiting a vegan wine shop, you’ll find plenty of delicious options that fit your lifestyle and preferences. Cheers to the finest vegan wines in Ireland!