Everything You Didn't Know About Vegan Wine

Vegan Craze Highlights Even Vegan Wine!

Traditionally, a vegan refers to a complete vegetarian who does not consume any meat, including eggs and milk. Recently, the word ‘vegan’ has become common in lifestyle products such as clothing and cosmetics. This reflects how ‘veganism,’ which considers environmental and animal protection as well as health, has become closer and more deeply integrated into our lives. This ‘vegan’ trend has even spread to the mainstream industry, specifically to ‘vegan wine.’ The combination of these two words, which seem difficult to find common ground between, may sound unfamiliar. So, we have prepared everything about vegan wine! We consulted Lee Kyunghwa, a buyer at Wine & More, about how vegan wine differs from regular wine in terms of taste, aroma, and brewing process.

How is vegan wine made?

Vegan wine does not use any animal-derived ingredients. It is clarified by either letting the particles naturally settle at the bottom of the wine over a long period or by using non-animal products such as clay or bentonite.

※ Generally, after fermentation, wine undergoes a fining process before bottling to remove small particles that cannot be eliminated by filtration. This fining process often uses gelatin derived from egg whites, milk protein casein, animal collagen, or isinglass made from fish bladders.

Are there any other differences?

The cork stoppers used after bottling the wine do not use milk-based adhesives. Wax used to seal the bottle neck is also not used. Moreover, only plant-based fertilizers are used during grape cultivation, not just during the brewing process.

I am curious about the distinctions from other types of wine.

Generally, eco-friendly wines are categorized into four types: organic wine, biodynamic wine, natural wine, and vegan wine, but certification systems and classification criteria vary by country. Eco-friendly wine refers to wines that consider the environment throughout the entire production process, from grape cultivation to brewing, storage, and transportation.

[What is Eco-Friendly Wine?]

Organic Wine: Wine made from grapes cultivated without or with limited use of pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers, according to organic farming regulations.

Biodynamic Wine: Wine made by taking organic farming a step further, cultivating grapes and brewing wine according to celestial cycles. Grapes are grown and wine is produced following a calendar based on lunar movements.

Natural Wine: Literally natural wine. Grapes are cultivated using organic or biodynamic methods, and the wine contains only the components naturally present in the grapes and naturally occurring yeast.

Vegan Wine: Does not use any animal-derived ingredients. Only plant-based fertilizers are used during grape cultivation as well.

Is the storage period after opening similar to that of regular wine?

Generally, eco-friendly wines, like regular wines, come in various grape varieties and styles. Typically, after opening, it is recommended to consume sparkling wine within 1?3 days (sealed with a sparkling wine stopper and refrigerated), light white/ros? wine within 5?7 days (sealed with a cork and refrigerated), full-bodied white wine within 3?5 days (sealed with a cork and refrigerated), and red wine within 3?5 days (sealed with a cork and stored in a cool place).

Is there a way to identify vegan wine?

The easiest way to confirm vegan wine is to check for the ‘vegan certification mark’ on the label. South Korea has very strict regulations regarding organic and eco-friendly products, requiring proof upon import clearance. Most wines display the relevant certification marks somewhere on the bottle, so you can trust and purchase with confidence.

Is there a definite difference in taste and aroma between expensive and inexpensive wines?

A higher price does not always guarantee superior quality. Generally, expensive and good wines have a broader and deeper spectrum of taste and aroma compared to cheaper wines. They offer more complex flavors and aromas, leaving a longer finish in the mouth.

Interview with buyer Lee Kyunghwa is here

Photo = Shinsegae L&B

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.