During the summer and the occasional unseasonal heatwave, we mostly stick to white wine. A glass of white pairs perfectly with late August afternoons and warm September evenings, especially when vegan snacks are involved.
The problem is that some wine is not vegan due to the animal-based fining agents used (more on that below), so we can’t just stroll into a BevMo and pick up a wine with a pretty label and be confident that it’s vegan—at least not without checking The VegNews Guide to Vegan Wine or the trusty vegan alcohol website Barnivore.com. Rest easy and stock your wine cooler with these accessible, refreshing, and affordable vegan white wines.
Why isn’t all wine vegan?
Often, winemakers use fining agents to remove unwanted compounds from the wine, which helps to improve the clarity, taste, and stability. These agents work by binding to specific particles, making them easier to remove. While these fining agents can be vegan, they’re often made from animal products. Isinglass (derived from fish bladders), gelatin, and egg whites are just a few examples.
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For more information on fining agents and vegan-friendly wines, read our guide here.
10 delicious white wines free from animal products
Looking to pair your favorite white wine with a few snacks? Check out our VegNews Vegan Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide and our Vegan Wine and Chocolate Pairing Guide. But for now, here are our picks for tasty white wine (listed in no particular order).
Villa Sparina
1 Villa Sparina Gavi
Villa Sparina hails from the rolling hills of Northern Italy, just an hour south of Milan. This white is bright and refreshing with hints of peach and white flowers. It’s fabulous for sharing with friends, with or without food. Bonus: it’s easy to upcycle the bottle. Simply remove the labels, wash thoroughly, and you have a new gorgeous glass water bottle. Find this white at Total Wine, Whole Foods, and other local retailers for $15 to $20.
Find it here
Inama
2 Inama Soave Classico, 2017
When a servant said to Romeo, “I pray, come crush a cup of wine” (translation: “fancy a drink?”), he might have been talking about Soave wine. It comes from volcanic slopes just 20 miles from Verona in Italy where the young Capulet famously wooed Juliet from her balcony. This wine is elegant and fresh with notes of apple, pear, and elderflower. Pick up a bottle for yourself at Total Wine, Whole Foods, wine.com, and various local retailers for $16 to $18.
Find it here
Sutro
3 Sutro Sauvignon Blanc, 2020
Made by an all-female team in Alexander Valley in Northern California, this sauvignon has aromas of guava, peach, lemon blossom, grapefruit, and thyme. It’s fresh, bright, and so satisfying. While it’s only available for shipping through the winery online, this $35 bottle is worth the wait.
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4 Fournier Sancerre “Les Belles Vignes,” 2023
This Sauvignon Blanc is just so pretty. It has delicate citrus aromas that carry through to taste. It’s from Sancerre in the center of France, which is one of the world’s most established regions for Sauvignon Blanc. The Fournier family have been farming there since the 1800s, so they know what they’re doing.
Find it here
Divino
5 Ovum “To Love Somebody” Gewurztraminer, 2018
Wines made with the Gewurztraminer grape always have plenty of aroma. This one from Oregon is bursting with peaches, orange oil, and blossom with a hint of ginger spice to taste. This variety shares its name with the famous Bee Gees 1967 track and 1969 Nina Simone cover—YouTube it; you’ll know the song once you hear it. This vintage is still available in some local wine shops for around $20. The 2019 bottle, coined “Love your Lovin Ways” after another of Simone’s tracks, is available online, too. All Ovum wines are vegan-friendly.
Find it here
Cordero di Montezemolo
6 Cordero di Montezemolo, Langhe Arneis, 2019
Arneis is a little-known white Italian grape variety. It tends to be overshadowed as it comes from an area that is more famous for producing bold red wines like Barolo. What it lacks in fame it makes up for in character. This white is bold and flavorsome with tangible notes of tangy green apples, pear, chamomile, and a hint of almond.
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Pewsey Vale
7 Pewsey Vale Riesling, 2017
A lot of people assume that all Rieslings are sweet, but plenty of delicious Rieslings are dry, too. This Australian bottle is a case in point. It’s completely dry, citrus-driven (think limes), and invigorating.
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Dr. Loosen
8 Dr. Loosen “Dr. L” Riesling, 2021
If you like a light touch of sweetness in your wine, this option is for you. It’s mouth-wateringly cool and crisp with the prominent flavors of apple, lemon, and pear. At just 8.5 percent alcohol, it’s ideal for weekdays and lunches.
Find it here
Avaline
9 Avaline’s Sauvignon Blanc
This crisp, fresh sauvignon blanc from Avaline boasts bright notes of ripe citrus and rose petals. It’s also made with organic grapes and it’s free of added colors and unnecessary sugars. According to co-founder Cameron Diaz, this tipple is best enjoyed with a shared platter of snacks.
Find it here
Sea Change
10 Sea Change’s Riesling
If you want your evening glass of vino to come up with a side of ocean conservation, Sea Change’s extensive range of white wines is for you. This dry Riesling, for example, is full of complex flavor and “zingy acidity.” The brand recommends you pair it with your favorite creamy dish.
Find it here
For more on vegan drinks, read:
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