Is it vegan? Drinks
Is wine vegan?
Quick answer: It depends. Wine is made from grapes, but many wines are clarified with animal-derived fining agents such as isinglass, gelatin, casein or egg white, which usually do not appear on the label.
Also called: red wine, white wine, sparkling wine, champagne, prosecco, wine fining
The details
Fining agents bind to particles that make wine cloudy or bitter so they can be removed. Traditional agents include isinglass (fish), gelatin, casein and milk (dairy) and egg albumen. Vegan wines use bentonite clay, activated charcoal, silica, pea or potato protein, or are left unfined.
Since 2012, EU rules require wines to declare egg- or milk-derived fining agents as allergens if residues remain, but other agents such as isinglass and gelatin need not be listed. A vegan logo or the producer’s confirmation is the reliable way to know. Some wines also use lysozyme (from egg) as a preservative.
What to look for on the label
- “vegan” label or certification
- “contains egg/milk” allergen statements (EU)
- “unfined” or “unfiltered”
Where it’s found
- Red, white, rosé and sparkling wines
Vegan alternatives
- Vegan-labelled wines
- Unfined wines
- Wines fined with bentonite or pea protein
Frequently asked questions
Is wine vegan?
It depends. Wine is made from grapes, but many wines are clarified with animal-derived fining agents such as isinglass, gelatin, casein or egg white, which usually do not appear on the label.
Is red wine more likely to be non-vegan?
Red wines are often fined with egg white or gelatin to soften tannins, but white and sparkling wines may be fined with casein or isinglass. Check each wine.
Sources
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 579/2012 (labelling of egg and milk fining agents in wine) — EUR-Lex
- Animal-Derived Ingredients List — PETA
Checked on 31 October 2026. Ingredients and recipes change, and the same product can differ between countries — always check the current label. This page is general information, not allergy or medical advice.