Vegan wine: what it is and how it differs from regular one

Many vegans do not drink wine unless it is labeled "vegan". It would seem that there is nothing forbidden for them in this alcoholic beverage because it is just ordinary grapes that have fermented. However, this is not the case.

Wine expert Roman Remieiev explained what vegan wine is and how it differs from ordinary one. He also shared whether the "vegan" label affects its taste and price, Segodnya reports.

What is vegan wine and how does it differ from ordinary one?

The key difference between vegan and classical wine is the process of purification, which is implemented during production. The "purity" of the alcoholic beverage is important because after the fermentation process, particles of grape skins, seeds, stems, or yeast may remain in the wine. Accordingly, they need to be disposed of.

In classic wines, purification occurs with the addition of elements of natural origin. For example, egg white or milk casein. Due to these components, the wine automatically becomes non-vegan.

In vegan wines, elements of natural origin have been replaced by "vegan-friendly" elements, one of which is bentonite (a natural clay material). The elements are added to the wine, they swell, sink to the bottom, collect excess food particles in the wine, and the liquid is filtered.

Taste and price of vegan wine

Vegan wines taste no different from classic ones. If you try one glass, you won't notice the difference. The price is standard - it is not increased due to the "vegan" label.

It is interesting that in the UK and the US, winemakers do not have to indicate on the label the substances used for purification. Still, some producers label it as "vegan". Therefore, lovers of plant-based foods can confidently buy such wine. You can also find wine from abroad with this label on Ukrainian shelves.