What makes a wine not veggie-friendly?

There are a number of different fining (filtering) methods winemakers use to clarify and stabilise wine, including using animal and fish extracts. 

• Gelatin: Gelatin is a flavourless and colourless ingredient derived from cows or pigs (and occasionally other types of farm animals), it can be used in both red and white wines. 
• Isinglass: Isinglass is made from fish bladders, and are commonly used for white and rose wines.

Even though the product used to fine the wine cannot be tasted in the end product, studies have reported that trace amounts can still be found in the wine.

So how do we make wine that’s veggie-friendly?

One of the ways to create veggie wine is to simply not filter it, letting it rest and separate naturally. This is a process that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and wine made like this is referred to as natural wine. 

Another alternative is to use non-animal products. Unlike vegan wine, which can’t use any type of animal product or by-product, veggie wine can use them and still be suitable. 

• Egg whites: These are commonly used in red wines to reduce the amount of harsh tannins in the wine, leaving behind the softer tasting tannins.
• Casein: Casein is a protein found in milk which can be used to remove bitterness in a variety of white wines.
• Pea or potato protein: Using these vegetable proteins is becoming an increasingly popular method of fining. 

How can I check if the wine is suitable for non-meat eaters?

Any wine has the potential, it just depends on the choices made by the winemakers during the production process. 

• Read the label: The first way to check if a wine has any animal derived products is to check the label. Many wines will have a symbol on them to show they are suitable for our herbivorous friends. However, labels do not always have to list if they’ve used animal-derived ingredients in the fining process so sometime you’ll need to look a little deeper – wine producers will often list their fining processes on their websites. At Fine Wines Direct UK our wines are always clearly labelled.
• Ask your local wine expert: When dining out, any wine expert worth their salt will know in depth about the wines they are serving you, and will be able to recommend you a wine based on both your dietary requirements and your tastebuds. If you visit us at our shop in Cardiff, our experts will always be on hand to answer any questions you might have.
• Get technical: There are so many resources out there for people with dietary requirements, including apps and databases. Many compile the most popular brands, so you’ll get familiar with which producers make the wine that delights you. 

Can you age this kind of wine?

Many types of veggie wine can be aged just as well as others. The one thing you need to look out for is if your bottle is preservative free, as these wines typically don’t age well. 

The perfect pairing

If you don’t eat animals you might feel like you’re forgotten about when it comes to wine pairings, suggestions ranging from red meats, to fish and chicken based dishes. If you’ve come searching for veggie wine and you’d also like a meat-free dish to work with it, we’ve got you covered. 

• White: Crisp, dry white wines work beautifully with creamy, pasta-based dishes.
• Red: Red wines taste delicious when combined with smoky, barbecue dishes such as grilled tofu or vegetables. 
• Sparkling: Vegetarian prosecco drinkers will know that prosecco is a perfect party drink, as an aperitif or with small, savoury treats such as frittatas and quiches. 

As with any wine pairing, the things to consider are the basic wine characteristics: acidity, sweetness, body, tannin and alcohol content. Experiment with different pairings and find what works for you and your palate. 

What kind of veggie wine does Fine Wines Direct UK offer?

We work hard to find stunning wines that cater to all palates and dietary requirements. Our vegetarian selection includes wines from the world’s most renowned wine-making regions such as Rioja, Sicily and Marlborough to name just a few. 

If you’re after a delectable red wine, why not try our Franschhoek Cellar ‘Baker Station’ Shiraz? With deep ruby notes of mulberry and plum and soft, ripe tannins, this award-winning wine complements mature cheddar and other hard cheeses. If white wine is more to your taste, our Torres San Valentín from Catalonia is a delightful off-dry white which brings out the wine’s floral aromas and a ripe, fruity character. These beautiful, diverse wines are just a selection of our elegant collection.

Why buy from Fine Wines Direct UK?

With over 100 years of experience between us in the wine industry, you could say we know our way around a wine cellar. We want all our customers to be able to enjoy wines, no matter their budget, taste or dietary requirements. 

A huge variety of wines we stock you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the UK. We work exclusively with vineyard owners and wine producers, building close working relationships and sourcing only the highest quality products. You’re in safe hands with us, there’s no better place to buy vegetarian wine online. 

If you’d prefer a face to face chat with one of our friendly experts, we would love to see you in our shop in Cardiff where we can discuss what wine would suit you best.

On top of our outstanding veggie wine selection, we also offer a fantastic array of biodynamic and organic wines. We know how difficult it can be to choose when faced with such a diverse collection, which is why we also offer mixed cases. Our experts can curate the perfect range to suit your tastes, and you’ll discover new and exciting wines in the process.