Demand for vegan-friendly wines increases

Demand for vegan-friendly wines has jumped and is forecast to grow further as consumers demand eco-conscious and healthier lifestyles.

UK brand Virgin Wines, for instance, has said it vegan wine sales rose to 1,735,730 bottles in 2021 from 1,149,869 in 2019 and it now carries 400 varieties.

A growing number of British supermarkets are also launching vegan-friendly varieties to meet demand.

Aldi, Marks & Spencer and SPAR all carry vegan-friendly wines. In 2022 supermarket chain SPAR made all its own-brand wines vegan-friendly.

“Demand for vegan, organic, and biodynamic wines has grown as more consumers adopt eco-conscious and healthier lifestyles,” said Sophie Lord, head of purchasing at Virgin Wines.

“It’s not surprising to see such a rise in vegan wine sales. Over the last decade far more alternative wine fining methods have been found, allowing winemakers to move away from the traditional methods that are unsuitable for vegans,” she added.

So why is not all wine vegan? It’s made from grapes, after all. It’s all in the detail and the quest for a clear product.

“In a world where aesthetics really matter, winemakers know they can’t ship without it being crystal clear in appearance. And the only way to do this is by extracting the molecules by using fining agents,” notes Virgin Wines.

The agents usually contain animal products – egg whites for red wine, and milk protein, casein, for white wine. The agents are removed after clarification, but they sometimes can remain as tiny traces. Also, they may not always be clearly listed on the label because they are not additives.

Vegan-friendly producers, on the other hand, are adopting a more natural approach of allowing the wine to develop naturally and self-fine. Alternative fining methods include clay-based methods.

So, make sure to read your wine labels before you buy, and enjoy the growing variety of vegan-friendly wines out there.

Article written by Julia M. Thompson, United Kingdom