People have this misconception that since wine are essentially made from grapes, it is already suitable for vegetarians and vegans.  What is not common knowledge to some is that sometimes animal products are utilized in the wine production process.  The Observer’s David Williams said winemakers use a process called fining to clarify and stabilize their wines.  This process involves the use of milk proteins, egg whites, gelatin, and even fish bladders.

Although some manufacturers skip the fining process altogether, allowing the sediments to settle at the bottom of the bottle is not exactly ideal in wine production.  In a recent study by the Vegan Society, all fining ingredients are removed from the finished product but some of these traces still remain in most cases.

Image credit – vegetariantimes.com

Since winemakers are under no legal obligation to state whether or not animal products have been used in fining their wines, vegetarians and vegans would have to find a winemaking brand that takes this initiative seriously.  Marks and Spencer take pride in their wine offering as they provide details on the back labels of their vegetarian and vegan wines.  For those who find it challenging to pair wines with vegetarian dishes, M&S wine expert Chris Murphy advises that the rule of thumb when finding an excellent wine pairing is to try and match the textures of food with the wine.

Image credit – iamaVegetarian.wordpress.com

In November 2011, The Wine Twit blog posted a list of M&S wines that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.  Since most of the wines in that list are no longer available in the wine retailer’s website, here are some of the updated ones worth-checking out:

Suitable for vegetarians
Hay Station Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Schug Carneros Chardonnay 2012
Clocktower Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2012
Belle Tour Chardonnay 2012
Hunter Valley Verdelho 2011
Clocktower Pinot Noir 2011
Vin Alta Gran Reserva Malbec 2010
Chablis Premier Cru 2008
Quinta De Fafide Estate Reserva 2008
Nero D’Avola Sicilia 2008
Hermits Hill Botrytis Semillon 2008

Suitable for Vegans
Tierra Y Hombre Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Honeycomb Journey’s End Chardonnay 2012
Seifried Estate Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Picpoul De Pinet 2012
Petit Chablis 2012
Mâcon Uchizy 2012
Fairtrade® Six Hats Chenin Blanc 2011
Charles Back Stonedance 2011
Altos del Condor Sauvignon Gris 2010
Baglio Nero D’Avola 2010
Chateau Le Vieux Pressoir 2009
Crozes Hermitage 2009

Related reading on Not Just Vegetarian

• Red Obsession – from the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival (NYC)

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