Vivacious Vegan Wines
All vegan wines are vegetarian, but not all vegetarian wine is vegan.
With #vegan used over a hundred million times on Instagram and veganism increasing by more than 100% annually, the wine industry is sitting up and taking notice. Isn’t all wine vegan though? It comes from grapes so why wouldn’t it be vegetarian or vegan-friendly?
Please, let me explain.
May contain traces of egg, fish and milk products has been on the back of wine labels for years. If one of these products is used the production of the wine it must legally be on the label, although testing has shown that after filtering the trace elements are barely detectable. Many wines are fined, this is the process on removing impurities from a wine by using proteins to bind the compounds so they are easily eliminated.
Let’s get geeky.
Here are some of the different products used in the production of wine that can make them non-vegetarian or vegan.
- Gelatin, obtained from collagen in animal bones and body parts.
- Isinglass, this is a substance obtained from the dried swim bladders of fish.
- Egg whites can be used to remove astringent phenolics associated with bitterness in red wines.
- Casein, this is the principal protein in milk and is mainly used for fining white wine.
Wines can be made without the use of animal-based fining agents if desired, these wines can be settled, letting gravity do the work, or fined using bentonite clay or pea protein. Some of your favourite wines might be vegetarian or vegan and you don’t even know it. Many that are don’t have it on the label.
Now that you are an expert in wine production, let’s get to the good part – drinking vegan wine!
Wooing Tree Blondie 2020
Central Otago
Made from 100% hand harvested Pinot Noir, the wine gets its lovely colour from minimal skin contact during the whole bunch pressing. This style of wine is know as a Blanc de Noir, a white wine made from red grapes.
The prettiest pale rose gold you ever did see. Mouth-watering aromas of citrus, crunchy red apple, cherry blossom, and juicy nectarine. A surprisingly textural palate with flavours of strawberry, sweet pear, and delicate stone fruit. The lovely spritzy acidity leads into a fine mineral finish. Wonderfully refreshing!
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Dicey Pinot Gris 2020
Central Otago
The first release of this new wine brand made by Matt and James Dicey. The 2020 vintage was coldest in Central Otago since 2005 resulting in small, concentrated berries. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeasts and left on lees to develop complexity.
The nose is filled with ripe Nashi pear, red apple, white nectarine, and spice with a hint of vanilla. The palate is all lemon, crunchy pear and apple. Perfectly dry with a zing of fruity acidity and a brilliant linear minerality that runs throughout the long, spice-driven finish. Brilliantly lively!
Domaine du Tariquet Amplitude Blanc 2019
South West France
Created in 1912 by Pauline and Jean-Pierre Grassa, this wine is made from 100% Gros Manseng, a white grape variety indigenous to South West France.
Pale lemon in colour with intense, bright and fresh fruit characters on the nose, just ripe apricot, grapefruit, white blossom and crunchy green apple. The palate is light in body, crisp and dry with tree fruit and citrus flavours and a dynamic finish. Buy from Maison Vauron and if you’re not actually vegan, pick up some delicious French cheese to go with it!
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2019
Hawkes Bay
Hand picked from selected vineyards and fermented separately with a portion of whole bunches included.
The wine is 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier, the dash of Viognier adding complexity to the finished wine.
A stunning deep ruby in colour and bursting with aromas of red plum, blackberry, blueberry and oak spices with a touch of black pepper and florals. The powerful palate with its ripe fruit flavours is balanced by lifted acidity and a grippy tannin structure. A young wine that will age well. Buy now, pop it away for a rainy day!
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Two Rivers Amphitheatre Syrah 2020
Marlborough
Handpicked from the high density planted Brookby Hill Vineyard. Fermented in both tank and clay amphora, including 30% whole bunches. Aged for 11 months in French oak, of which 25% was new.
Dusty ruby in colour with a purple hue. A complex nose with layers of red and dark fruit, plum, boysenberry, redcurrant, and smoky oak with touches of graphite and dried violets. A velvety smooth texture with the aromas carrying onto the palate and joined by sandy tannins and warming baking spices. The wine’s finish is filled with ripe red plum and a white pepper note. Delicious!
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Soho Revolver Malbec Merlot Cabernet France 2019
Waiheke Island
A blend of hand harvested Malbec (47%), Merlot (29%) and Cabernet Franc (24%) from the Carter’s Jomara Vineyard in Onetangi. Fermented separately with a combination of wild and selected yeasts and matured in French oak barrels for 9 months, including 44% new.
A beautiful deep purple colour with delicious aromas of juicy dark plum, sweet blackberry, cassis, and oak derived spices with hints of anise. A rich, soft and supple palate filled with intense fruit characters and a splash of acidity adding structure. Love, love, love!
