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January is a time for …

January 2, 2018

January is a time for …

With many of us taking on New Year’s Resolutions, January is becoming known under many alternative names, for example, ‘Dryuary’, intended for those brave folk who have decided to give up drinking for the month altogether. (Incidentally, if you are following the alternative ‘Ginuary’, you can find our delicious Own Label Sloe Gin here.)

Following the rise of ‘World Vegan Month’ in November, some of you may be looking to review your plant-based lifestyles, especially after a December filled with cheese, turkey, chocolate and all other indulgent foods. Enter VEGANUARY.

Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. [quote The Vegan Society].

Very interesting. And wine is made from grapes, so it has to be vegan friendly… right? Wrong! Not all wine is suitable for vegans. Luckily, there are some seriously tasty vegan wines on the market, so here’s a handy guide to happy plant-based diet drinking.

How do you know if a wine is vegan-friendly?
It’s all about how the wine is clarified (or fined) to remove the solid particles that would otherwise make it cloudy. The substances used for this process can be derived from many sources, some of which come from fish and animal, some from dairy products and some from clay or synthetic substances. Certain producers do not fine their wines at all while some choose just to filter.

Strictly speaking, such substances are no longer found in the wine at all after clarification, but the fact that they have had contact with the liquid may be important!

Wines fined with the following are suitable for vegans!
Bentonite (clay base)
PVPP (polyvinylpolypyrolidone) – a synthetic substance
Use of tangential filter
No fining

Wines fined with the following are not…
Casein (milk)
Albumen (eggs)
Gelatine Isinglass (fish swim bladder)
Blood! (not used generally anymore)

Still unsure? Here’s some of our favourite vegan-friendly wines!

Gewurztraminer Cave de Cleebourg 2015

An exotic, unctuous Gewurztraminer with a classic French signature, delicate spice, ripe lychee and lemongrass notes.

Prosecco Cecilia Beretta NV

Delicate fruit aromas and notes of sweet almonds on the nose, this fruity Prosecco drinks beautifully on its own, or try with a shellfish pasta dish.

Chateau la Tour de l’Eveque Rosé AOC Cotes de Provence 2016

Classic and elegant, this rosé combines vivacious red berry fruit, ripe nectarine and hints of sweet grapefruit with a silky texture, delicate creaminess. Delicious!

Pinot Nero La Tunella 2015

A soft and spicy Pinot Nero with attractive, juicy crushed raspberry flavours and delicate warm spice.

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