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Vegetarian Wine

It may be a shock to some, but like it or not, wine is not always vegetarian. In fact, more often than not, wine is not vegetarian! But fear not, salvation is at hand (if you're not already a teetotaler)! There are many wines that are suitable for vegetarians (and vegans too). Why on earth would wine not be vegetarian? What's wrong with grapes and yeast? Well as so often is the case, the devil is in the detail, for most wines are made with additives beyond the basic fruit and tasty microbes. In particular, isinglass - a form of gelatine derived from fish - is used in the winemaking process called "fining". This is when the yeast is removed from the wine using an additive in order to make the wine clearer. Fortunately, there are alternatives: some wines are made using a mineral fining agent, for example bentonite (a type of clay), whilst others are left to settle naturally.

Here are a list of wines that are suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. Please note that winemakers may change their recipe from year to year, so this information is on a best efforts basis and may change without warning. To the best of my knowledge though, enjoy the following!

List supplied by Des Keane

For a longer list and further information, check the website:

http://homepage.eircom.net/~thewub/vegan/wine.html

 

 

Argentina

Tesco Monster Spicy Red Syrah

Santa Julia Viognier

 

 

 

Australia

Banrock Station Cabernet Sauvignon

Banrock Station Petit Verdot

Banrock Station Shiraz Mataro 2000

Hardys Rose Stamp Grenache/Shiraz

Hardys Bankside Shiraz

Hardys Barossa Valley Shiraz

Hardys Nottage Hill Cabernet Sauivignon Shiraz

Hardys Stamp Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay

Hardys Stamp Semillion/Chardonnay

McGuigan Estates Black Label Chardonnay

McGuigan Estates Black Label Red

McGuigan Estates Bin 6000 Verdelho

McGuigan Estates Bin 7000 Chardonnay

McGuigan Estates Bin 2000 Shiraz

McGuigan Estates Bin 3000 Merlot

Peter Lehmann: All red wines

Yalumba Oxford Landing Cabernet Shiraz

Yalumba Oxford Landing Chardonnay

Yalumba Oxford Landing Merlot

 

 

 

California

Rutherford Hill: All red wines after 1996

 

Chile

Tesco Finest Chile Merlot Reserve

 

France

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mouton-Cadet Rouge

Tesco Finest Oak Aged White Burgundy

Tesco Beaujolais

Tesco Cabernet De Saumur Rose

Tesco French Chardonnay

Tesco Touraine Sauvignon

Tesco Finest Barrel Oak Aged Chardonnay

 

 

Italy

Tesco Bianco Del Salento

Tesco Catarratto Chardonnay

Tesco Orvieto Classic

Tesco Prosecco Chardonnay

Tesco Verdicchio Classico

    

South Africa

Kumala Colombard Chardonnay

Kumala Sauvignon Colombard

Kumala Semillon Chardonnay

Long Mountain: All wines

 

Spain

Torres Coronas

Torres Sangredetoro

Torres Vina Esmeralda

Torres Vina Sol

 

Sparkling wine

Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut

Mumm Cuvee Napa Rose   

Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay

Lindauer Brut