A growing percentage of the Australian population is turning to veganism, with over 10% vegetarian. More people turn away from anything animal-based, making it into a lifestyle and not merely a diet. Some things people find genuinely surprising to learn that have animal byproducts include wine.
The consensus is that these consist of merely grapes, but the techniques used for producing the final product result in a non-vegan substance. Fortunately, winemakers in Australia hear the majority and respond with results like Organic Hill Wines Australia vegan wine, an optimum choice. The goal of producers like these is to take a relatively new market and outshine the competition with an ideal methodology.
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What Is Fining?
Most people are of the mindset that wine is already vegan since it’s merely grapes. But that’s not the case. In the techniques used for production, the use of animal products is prevalent.
The process referenced is “fining.” That’s a stabilization method and clarifies the substance using an agent comprising specific materials that absorb into the juice precipitating the “colloids.”
Without these remaining, the wine has less likelihood of becoming cloudy but instead maintains the clarity for which enthusiasts seek with a good bottle. The process also eliminates hydrogen sulphide and bitterness from the flavour.
Is It Necessary To Perform Fining?
The suggestion is that if left for an extended time in ideal conditions, a young wine will come to the same position in clarity that fining accomplishes after months. Still, the process is more cost-effective for the winemaker and ultimately the client.
Fining is the most effective method when removing proteins (heat-unstable) or phenolics, including tannins or pigmented tannins. Producers use a vast array of agents like casein, bentonite clay deposits, egg whites, or fish bladders. Still, many are discontinuing using animal-based options instead strictly incorporating bentonite.
Unfortunately, aside from the vegan aspect, many of the animal-derived agents also act as allergens. In many countries, a disclaimer needs placing on the bottle if any of the substances used are within a specific range. It creates an added expense to use these for the winemaker.
Agents in no way detract or add to a wine’s flavour. These are strictly a component for clarity and stability.
Vegan Fining Agents That Winemakers Are Incorporating
More winemakers are moving away from animal-derived fining agents to create wines that meet the vegetarian and ever-increasing vegan demand. Check here to find details of the market for these products. Aside from satisfying the growing lifestyle changes, there are also significant allergens related to the animal-based agents used for the techniques.
In order to make sure people who suffer from these allergies are fully aware of the contents, disclaimers need to go on the bottles creating an added expense for producers. Eliminating animal-derived options is not only cost-effective, but it satisfies a growing percentage of the business.
A form of clay known as bentonite is a popular component used based on its absorbability with specific proteins. One that functions comparably is silica, but it’s not quite as effective. Elimination of Off-putting aromas is possible with (charcoal) carbon.
Each winemaker takes it upon themselves to get creative in their vegan methods, searching for one that works the best for their specific products. Some are finding vegetable gelatin with others deriving agents using vegetables like potatoes or peas. Again, these won’t affect the taste of the wine, but they will result in the fining method that can create greater stability and clarity sought by connoisseurs.
Natural Processes Becoming More Popular
Not all wines go through the fining process. More winemakers are natural in their methodology, preferring the wines to stay in a most natural state from start to finish. Some believe that fining detracts from the unique flavours. Intervention with a natural wine is minimal. The farming is organic, with nothing removed or added.
In some cases, animals are a part of fertilization and other aspects of vine tending and growing. It’s wise to always check with the winemaker to ensure 100% vegan wine in every sense. While many producers will mark the label as “vegan friendly,” that doesn’t necessarily indicate if that means it’s 100%.
A natural product is not necessarily 100% organic, nor will it always be 100% vegan. Natural merely means the winemaker doesn’t alter or manipulate the ingredients in any way, allowing it to develop its clarity and stability on its own over time under natural circumstances.
Final Thought
Over 10% of Australia’s population enjoys a vegetarian diet, with an expanding number turning to veganism. Veganism is a much more strict lifestyle since it carries over into every life component instead of just diet.
A vegan cannot use animal-derived products for anything in the home, clothing, cosmetics, beverages – nothing, including alcohol such as wine. Go to https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-alcohol-vegan#spirits to learn if alcohol, including wine, is vegan.
Most wine drinkers believe wine is already vegan because of the grapes. Still, the fining process can potentially expose drinkers to animal derivatives depending on what winemakers use for the technique.
Some producers use egg whites or fish bladder. Even when left to process into a state of clarity and stability naturally, animal fertilization is possible for which someone living as a vegan might be unaware.
In many countries, bottles need to disclaim when producers use animal products known to react as allergens. But as a strict vegan and possible allergy-sufferer, it’s wise to question the producer because disclaimers are not required worldwide.
You may obtain a “vegan-friendly” bottle, but it might not be 100% so, notably if the producer used natural processes. All-natural doesn’t mean organic or vegan. It merely means the winemaker didn’t alter anything in making their product.
When you see “all-natural” on the bottle, it’s essential to ask the appropriate questions.
Winemakers hope to make their products suitable for every taste. Non-vegans can enjoy a vegan wine pleasurably, but someone living a vegan lifestyle can’t enjoy traditional wines.
As such, producers are working to create incredible bottles without using animal products or altering the flavours traditional drinkers have come to love. In this way, no matter the bottle, it will be capable of suiting each enthusiast.
