<h2 class=”body-h2″>What makes a wine vegan? </h2><p class=”body-text”>Winemakers generally use fining agents such as egg white, gelatine or milk protein to help clarify the wine. While vegan wines still undergo this process, fining agents such as carbon or clay are used instead. </p><p class=”body-text”>Some winemakers also choose to leave their wine unfined and unfiltered to encourage unusual flavours in the bottle. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How we test vegan wine </h2><p>All wines were served blind to a panel of <a href=”https://www.wsetglobal.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>WSET-certified</a> experts. Testers were looking for balanced wines with acidity, sweetness and body that are also suitable for the vegan diet. </p><p>Across the categories, they were looking for bold, full-flavoured and structured reds; dry whites with good fruit; delicately balanced floral and aromatic rosés; and refreshing sparkling wines. </p>”/>
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Best vegan white wines
1
Best vegan white wine
Bowl Grabber Alvarinho
1
Best vegan white wine
Bowl Grabber Alvarinho
Now 13% Off
Score: 94/100
Aromatic and bursting with the aromas of fresh peach and apricot, this vibrant and refreshing alvarinho takes the top spot in our white wine category, offering a crisp and zesty palate.
Serve chilled as an aperitif or pair with vegan fish tacos for a winning combination.
The Greek wine grape assyrtiko is known for its minerality and pleasing acidity and this organic bottle from Abel and Cole, blended with 5% sauvignon blanc, is no exception.
Gooseberry and lemon aromas dominate, with good body and flavours of tropical fruit, lychee, passionfruit, lemon and tart green apple. Drink alongside vegan cheese tarts or hearty salads.
Key specifications
Grape
Assyrtiko-blend
Country
Greece
ABV
13%
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3
Best value vegan white wine
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc
3
Best value vegan white wine
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Score: 88/100
Equivalent to just £10 a bottle, this boxed wine offers great value and once opened can be stored in the fridge for up to six weeks.
Testers enjoyed aromas of zingy limes, green chillies and green peppers paired with a palate of crisp green apples. Serve chilled with canapés or grilled vegan chicken and seasonal vegetables.
Key specifications
Grape
Sauvignon blanc
Country
New Zealand
ABV
12.5%
Best vegan rosé wines
4
Best vegan rosé
Amie x Organic Rosé 75cl
4
Best vegan rosé
Amie x Organic Rosé 75cl
Score: 91/100
An exceptionally sippable number made with a blend of organic grenache and cinsault, this fresh rosé reminded our testers of being on a sunny holiday (even on cold winter days).
Summer fruits such as lemon, redcurrant and lychee are balanced by a touch of vanilla, resulting in a little residual sugar and good minerality.
Key specifications
Grape
Grenache-blend
Country
France
ABV
12.5%
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5
Runner-up vegan rosé
Quatre Vin Organic Rosé 75cl
5
Runner-up vegan rosé
Quatre Vin Organic Rosé 75cl
Now 14% Off
Score: 90/100
Created by four friends in collaboration with a family-run winery in the heart of Provence, this organically farmed pale pink rosé is subtly sweet with notes of juicy tropical fruit, plenty of citrus and a hint of summer berries.
Key specifications
Grape
Cinsault-blend
Country
France
ABV
12.5%
6
Best value vegan rosé
Mabis La Carezza Pinot Nero
6
Best value vegan rosé
Mabis La Carezza Pinot Nero
Score: 86/100
This pinot nero (the Italian name for pinot noir) is a pale pink rosé-style wine made with the same grape. Despite a light aroma, the palate is surprisingly flavourful with fresh apples and white peach.
Pair with salty snacks such as green olives and vegan cheese for a refreshing aperitif.
Key specifications
Grape
Pinot noir
Country
Italy
ABV
12%
Best vegan red wines
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7
Best vegan red wine
Wise Wolf Cabernet Sauvignon
7
Best vegan red wine
Wise Wolf Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 88/100
Enticing forest fruits, juicy black cherries and lingering vanilla come together in this classic cab sav, resulting in a wine that’s powerful on the palate with a balanced, meaty quality.
Deep ruby in colour with a satisfyingly tannic finish, it’s great choice for vegan mince dishes or steaks.
Key specifications
Grape
Cabernet sauvignon
Country
France
ABV
13.5%
8
Runner-up vegan red wine
Finca Manzanos Seleccion de la Familia Rioja 2021
8
Runner-up vegan red wine
Finca Manzanos Seleccion de la Familia Rioja 2021
Score: 86/100
Bursting with a variety of rich black fruits and a floral touch of rose, this tempranillo is luscious and concentrated with spicy tannins.
Testers found it satisfyingly meaty and thought it would make a great pairing with stews and roasts.
Key specifications
Grape
Tempranillo
Country
Spain
ABV
13.5%
Best vegan orange wines
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9
Best vegan orange wine
Gentle Riot Orange Wine 2021
9
Best vegan orange wine
Gentle Riot Orange Wine 2021
Score: 83/100
Made using white grapes fermented in their skins, this trendy-hued orange wine has aromas of melon and papaya. Produced with minimal intervention, testers found it also had a slight musty quality reminiscent of aged wine or wine cellars.
The palate also has flavours of melon, a grapefruit tartness and woody, herbal notes, making this a great choice for natural wine enthusiasts.
Key specifications
Grape
Sauvignon gris-blend
Country
France
ABV
12.5%
10
Runner-up vegan orange wine
Markou Kleftes Savatiano
10
Runner-up vegan orange wine
Markou Kleftes Savatiano
Score: 80/100
Greek wine is rapidly growing in popularity. Pair that with the fact this is an orange wine and you’ve got the ultimate intriguing bottle worth talking about when entertaining guests.
With aromas of citrus and hints of elderflower on the palate, it’s delicious with vegan fish and pasta dishes.
Key specifications
Grape
Savatiano
Country
Greece
ABV
12.5%
Best vegan sparkling wines
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11
Joint best vegan sparkling wine
Tesco Cava Rosado
11
Joint best vegan sparkling wine
Tesco Cava Rosado
Score: 83/100
Not only did this pale pink cava take the joint top spot thanks to its delicious palate of summer fruits and fine effervescent bubbles, it’s also incredible value.
Strawberries are the key flavour here but there are also notes of raspberries and white peach. A great festive aperitif.
Key specifications
Grape
Macabeo-blend
Country
Spain
ABV
11.5%
12
Joint best vegan sparkling wine
Blanc de Noirs Twenty Nineteen
12
Joint best vegan sparkling wine
Blanc de Noirs Twenty Nineteen
Score: 83/100
If you’re looking for an extra special bottle for toasting, this English sparkling from Kent-based boutique winery Gusbourne hits all the right notes.
A classic champagne blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier grapes, it’s also made with the traditional method as used in the Champagne region. The result is notes of apple and lemon with gentle bubbles and a light yeasty flavour typical of its French counterpart.
Key specifications
Grape
Pinot-noir blend
Country
England
ABV
12%
13
Runner-up vegan sparkling wine
Britpop Brut by Alex James NV
13
Runner-up vegan sparkling wine
Britpop Brut by Alex James NV
Score: 81/100
The bassist of successful Britpop band Blur is behind this English fizz made using the traditional method. Testers found both the aromas and the palate to be green and earthy with subtle buttery notes.
A delicious pairing with creamy dishes, it’s also a great conversation starter when hosting. Just add Coffee and TV.
Key specifications
Grape
Chardonnay-blend
Country
England
ABV
11.5%
Food and Drink Testing Manager
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.