Vegan Wine ?

What Makes a Wine Vegan? And Why More People Are Searching for It

  • By Gavin Keogh

Published: April 2025

Let’s start with something simple: wine is made from grapes. Grapes are fruit. So wine must be vegan, right?

Not exactly.

As more people search for vegan wine and artisan wine online (yep, those are climbing the Google ranks), it’s time to demystify what vegan wine actually means—and whether it’s just a buzzword or part of something bigger.

Why Some Wine Isn’t Vegan

Winemaking isn’t just grapes in, wine out. There’s a whole process between vineyard and bottle—especially when it comes to clarification.

To make wine look crystal clear, many producers use fining agents. These are substances that grab onto unwanted particles and drag them out of the wine. The catch? Some of these agents come from animals:

  • Isinglass (from fish bladders)

  • Egg whites (used in softening tannins in reds)

  • Casein (a milk protein)

  • Gelatin (animal collagen)

These don’t usually stick around in the finished wine—but for vegans, that doesn’t cut it.
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So What Makes a Wine Vegan?

Vegan-friendly wines use plant-based or mineral fining agents like:

  • Bentonite clay

  • Activated charcoal

  • Pea protein

Better still, some winemakers skip fining entirely. They let time and gravity do the job, often resulting in slightly hazy, deeply textured wines.

That natural cloudiness? It’s not a flaw. It’s a sign of less intervention.

Is Vegan Wine Better?

Let’s be straight:

  • Taste-wise, there’s no massive difference. Fining is about looks, not flavour.

  • Ethically and environmentally, vegan wines often come from small, sustainable producers. That’s where the real difference lies.

And here's a little Wines Direct insight: most of the vegan wines we stock are from independent, family-run estates. These are wines made with care, not chemicals.

Is Vegan Wine Just a Trend?

Not at all.

Here's what we’re seeing:

  • The keyword “vegan wine” ranks #2 on Google.ie and is climbing.

  • Searches for “artisan wine,” “buy artisan wine Ireland,” and “wine delivered Ireland” are at the top spot.

  • Consumers (especially under 40) are choosing wine based on values, not just taste.

Put simply: wine lovers want transparency. They want to know what's in the bottle and how it got there.

And that demand is only growing.
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Does This Mean All Wines Should Be Vegan?

Not necessarily. Wine is personal. But for people who live plant-based or value minimal intervention, vegan wine offers confidence and clarity.

You know what you're drinking. You know how it was made.

And often, it’s just a better wine.

Where to Start?

Looking to buy artisan vegan wine online in Ireland? You're in good hands with Wines Direct.

  • We work directly with winemakers who are transparent and passionate

  • We label vegan wines clearly, no guesswork

  • We offer free delivery across Ireland

  • And yes, many of our best wines are vegan by nature


So What now?
 

Slow Down. Pour a Glass. Ask Questions.

Whether you're sipping by the kitchen island with friends or around a BBQ in the garden, it's about sharing good wine with good people. Vegan or not, that's always in fashion.

Explore our vegan-friendly wines here or drop into Mullingar or Athlone for a taste. There’s always something open.

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