Is wine vegan?

[legendarytroy]

I was wondering if wine is Vegan. I had this debate with my friend the other day and she says that it's vegetarian and not vegan but she couldn't remember why that is. Personally, it seems vegan to me, I mean, it's made from grapes...It's also gluten-free too right?

[Paplo]

Actually, believe it or not, but almost all wine (unless it states that it is vegan or vegetarian-friendly) isn't. The reason isn't so much the ingredients but the process that is used to clarify the wine. usually the fining agents that are used come from an animal or fish of some kind.

[chefmel]

Actually, believe it or not, but almost all wine (unless it states that it is vegan or vegetarian-friendly) isn't. The reason isn't so much the ingredients but the process that is used to clarify the wine. usually the fining agents that are used come from an animal or fish of some kind.

What?!?!?! Why oh why would they use some kind of animal product in the wine clarifying process? Do you mean like they use something from an animal to strain the wine or something? I so don't understand why that would be necessary and especially why it would be necessary today. I mean, isn't there some kind of alternative that makes better sense????

[CuJo1992]

That sounds kinda gross haha. What about beer? I know it's not gluten-free, but is is vegetarian?

[bruceH]

That sounds kinda gross haha. What about beer? I know it's not gluten-free, but is is vegetarian?

Beer can be vegan or vegetarian depending on how it's processed. If the whoever makes it puts it through a refining process, chances are you'll end up with the same problem as wine. Essentially fining agents are often from animals or animal byproducts, like eggs, dairy, collgen, dried fish bladders, etc. I know it sounds gross but you'd be surprised at the number of things that come in contact with substances from animals and you don't even know it. That's one of the reasons why it's so tough being a true Vegan in regard to purchasing pre-made foods. You really have to know what you're eating, where it came from and how it was processed.

[anne]

Beer can be vegan or vegetarian depending on how it's processed. If the whoever makes it puts it through a refining process, chances are you'll end up with the same problem as wine. Essentially fining agents are often from animals or animal byproducts, like eggs, dairy, collgen, dried fish bladders, etc. I know it sounds gross but you'd be surprised at the number of things that come in contact with substances from animals and you don't even know it. That's one of the reasons why it's so tough being a true Vegan in regard to purchasing pre-made foods. You really have to know what you're eating, where it came from and how it was processed.

I just don't get why they even have to use these byproducts in the first place...isn't there something non-animal that can refine wine. Some type of metal or something?

[legendarytroy]

Wow! Okay so it's not vegetarian or vegan...good to know. I always forget that even if something is made from vegetables, fruits or grains, that doesn't mean that how they are processed into their final product is a vegetarian/vegan one. Thanks for weighing in on this guys, that's opened my eyes up to some things!

[Mike]

I just don't get why they even have to use these byproducts in the first place...isn't there something non-animal that can refine wine. Some type of metal or something?

They use them because it's what has been used for years and the fining process is what filters the wine and makes it clear and bright. Without it, it has sediments and other particles in it that are perfectly safe to drink, but not so great to look at (let's face it, most of us like pretty-looking wine). That said some wineries are using alternatives such as clay and even charcoal for the fining process and some are just letting their wines self-clarify and self-stabalize, forgoing the fining or filtering process.

If drinking vegetarian and especially vegan wine is important to you, I would recommend searching for these wineries online and then finding out where their products are sold.