Welcome to SquareMeal’s guide to some of the best vegan wines on the market right now, from rich reds to crisp whites and celebratory sparkling wines.
Wait, hold up. Isn’t wine naturally vegan? And if not, what exactly makes wine not vegan? For a drink that’s primarily made from fermented grapes, which is categorically a fruit last time we checked, you may be wondering what the need is for this round-up in the first place. The thing is that not all wines are vegan and it can be tricky to ascertain which ones don’t contain animal products.
So, what makes wine vegan?
Whether or not a wine is vegan depends on a process during wine-making called ‘fining’. All young wines have a cloudy tint to them at first due to a collection of tiny particles - things like tannins or proteins - which is totally normal. And that’s where fining comes in. Most people want their wine to appear bright and crisp because that’s what they’re used to, and if left long enough, most wines will self-fine naturally. However, producers tend to use fining agents to speed up the process, which are traditionally made from things like casein (milk), albumin (egg), animal gelatin or fish oil. While they don’t affect the flavour of the wine, many people might not feel comfortable consuming animal products with their favourite glass of red.
The good news is that as more people move towards eating a more plant-based diet, producers are starting to use vegan fining agents in their wines, such as those made from clay, charcoal or simply by natural fining (essentially letting time do its work).
How can you tell if a wine is vegan?
Not all wines are clearly labeled with a vegan logo, so even if it is vegan, you wouldn’t know. It can help to do a little research before nipping to the shops, or ordering vegan wine online where there tends to be a little more information about the bottle and how it was made.
You might want to source your wine from brands that only offer vegan options and, helpfully, most major supermarkets offer dedicated ranges to vegan wine online, including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. M&S has even pledged to make all its own-label wine vegan by 2022. In fact, vegan wines are pretty common which is why we’ve sifted through a generous selection of plant-based bottles to seek out some of the best - take a look.
The best vegan red wine
From rich and full-bodied to younger, fruity varieties, find a red wine you love with our hand-picked selection.
Barossa Shiraz, Marks & Spencer
What: At just under a tenner a bottle, this Aussie Shiraz is a steal. It’s made in the Barossa valley, Australia’s most prolific and famous wine region, so already has strong credentials but we love it anyway for it’s bold, smooth and rich flavour.
How much: £9
Buy now
Gran Cerdo Tinto, Tempranillo
What: Natural wines are on trend at the moment and a great way to go if you're looking for vegan varieties. This medium-bodied Gran Cerdo is excellent value and really versatile with notes of spices, berries and earthiness. Plus, it's made with whole bunch fermentation, minimal sulpher, is organic and unfined.
How much: £10.80
Buy now
Classic Cotes du Rhône, Waitrose
What: We wanted to include a really good, truly affordable red wine that's destined to become a staple at home, and this Cotes du Rhone is it. It's neither too light nor too heavy, contains a hint of black pepper and comes in at well under £10.
How much: £6.49
Buy now
Amarone, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference
What: A deeply rich and chocolatey number that’s made partially with dried grapes. It would work well with dishes that stand up to its luscious flavour – such as red meat or tomato-based dishes. Careful though, its 15% alcohol content makes it a little stronger than your average red – a silent killer!
How much: £16.50
Buy now
The best vegan white wine
White wine is perhaps the most versatile of the lot, with plenty of easy-drinkers out there. It can be a challenge, then, to find whites that stand out from the crowd, but we think we’ve found a few.
Terra Di Madre Organic Unfiltered, Co-op
What: Starting at the more affordable end of the spectrum, this vegan and organic unfiltered wine hails from Sicily and has a slightly hazy tinge to it – but don’t be alarmed, it just means all the flavour is locked inside and makes for a flavourful bottle. A great one if you’re riding the trend for natural wines.
How much: £6.50
Buy now
Nelson Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Laithwaites
What: For those who love the lively, grassier notes of a Sauvignon Blanc, this New Zealand white wine is full of flavourful personality. Its tropical notes stand up well to spicy or tangy dishes.
How much: £10.99
Buy now
Sancerre, Tesco Finest
What: Sancerre is a well-known wine region in The Loire Valley, France, for producing excellent Sauvignon Blanc. This crisp and lemony drink is very lightly filtered to ensure the best flavour and quality and receives brilliant reviews. Great for lovers of a Sav Blanc.
How much: £14
Buy now
Vegan Organic White, Selfridges
What: There’s a lot of good stuff packed inside this bottle. The grapes used for this Spanish white have been grown organically (without any pesticides) before being hand-picked.
How much: £14.99
Buy now
The best vegan roses
There are two types of rose drinkers: those who want their wine to be so pale it’s almost like water, and people who prefer a sweeter, fruitier drink bursting with red berry flavours. Discover both below.
Specially Selected Ventoux Rosé, Aldi 
What: This soft rose is full of delicate, fruity flavours, boasts a pretty pale colour and is part of Aldi’s Specially Selected collection. It’s got crowd-pleaser written all over it.
How much: £6.99
Buy now
Cotes de Provence 2020, Whispering Angel
What: If you haven't had the pleasure of trying Whispering Angel yet, chances are you've heard the rumours about this much-adored rose. It's loved by wine enthusiasts everywhere and happens to be vegan, too. A product of Provence, this rose is delightfully light, balanced and perilously easy to drink.
How much: £18.99
Buy now
Vitis Nostra Pinot Noir Rose, Morrisons
What: Morrison’s Pinot Noir Rose offers a full-bodied, fruity version of the pink drink, with notes of cherries, strawberries and a hint of vanilla. It’s a great option for those who prefer sweeter wines.
How much: £7.25
Buy now
The best vegan Prosecco, sparkling wine and champagne
From a reliable Prosecco to push-the-boat-out Champagne, all of these vegan sparkling wines would make wonderful options for a special occasion.
Organic Champagne, Aldi
What: A well-reviewed Champagne that’s low in sulfites, is organic and made in small batches - only 5,000 bottles are produced each year. It’s light and dry with a hint of red berry notes.
How much: £26.99
Buy now
San Leo Prosecco Brut NV, Waitrose
What: A reliable bottle of fizz that’s reasonable in price and always does the job. It’s Waitrose’s bestselling Prosecco and, helpfully, is also vegan.
How much: £9.99
Buy now
Della Vite Prosecco, Superiore DOCG
What: This glitzy number is the brainchild of Cara, Chloe and Poppy Delevingne, but bear with us if you think this is just another celebrity money-making scheme, because there's actually a lot of good stuff to say about it. Its grapes are grown on a UNESCO World Heritage Site which ensures the sustainabilty of the grape growing process is heavily monitored, while most of its production is powered by solar energy. Plus, the Prosecco isn't filtered using animal products so it's certified vegan.
How much: £25.95
Buy now
Blanc de Blancs Champagne, Fortnum & Mason
What: We like this Champagne for its light acidity (great as an aperitif), and the flavour that comes from being made from a blend of 100% Chardonnay grapes. It’s a little pricier at just under £40 but this elegant bottle is worth the price tag.
How much: £39.50
Buy now
Blanc de Blancs 2017, Langham
What: Langham sparkling wines are made solely from grapes grown on their Dorset vineyard, all of which are vegan thanks to their low intervention approach (they don't fine or filter their wines). This award-winning 2017 blanc de blancs is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes and has floral, citrusy and apple notes.
How much: £36
Buy now
Still feeling thirsty? These are some of the best fine wine shops that do delivery in London