Vegetarian Wines

Vegetarian Wines

It might surprise you to learn that wine, as a general rule, is not suitable for vegetarians. It sounds a little bizarre, but everything from fish bladders to bulls blood, gelatine and albumen have been widely used in the wine trade for centuries, working as a filter to clarify the liquid. These days many wine makers use a clay-based mineral to filter their beverages, but it’s always nice to double check if you want to be really veggie friendly. This year there seems to be more veg wine available than ever, but in the interest of making your life a wee bit easier I’ve put together a list of some of my favourites.

The Germann Shop in York specialise in top quality niche wines from family-run vineyards, with an emphasis on Mosel, but covering the full grapey gamut from Burgundy to Riesling. Founded by German entrepreneur Evita Germann. The Germann shop offers a great range of 100% vegan wines. Unlike most vegan foods, there is nothing in a vegan wine for carnivores not to like, particularly not in the Richard Böcking Riesling. This delicately sweet and rounded white has been produced on the Böcking estate since 1624, so there’s little surprise to learn that it is perfectly quaffable! At the offer price of £180 for 12 bottles or £90 for 6, it is probably more of a family dinner drink, than something to splash around at parties, but you’ll certainly be glad that you tried it. Visit www.germannshop.com for more information.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different however, the good people at the Chocolate Shop have recently launched a chocolate infused red wine. With aromas of black cherry and dark cocoa, this is perfectly lovely as is for a cold winters night, but even better as a mulled wine (ingredients: 1 bottle of 'Chocolate Shop' wine, 2 cinnamon sticks, 100g caster sugar, 5 star anise, 8 cloves, 2 satsumas, a sprig of rosemary). Very rich and velvety, mulled Chocolate wine is pure and simple indulgence. Chocolate Shop wine is available for £8.99 from The Co-operative and Sainsbury's. For more information visit Facebook.com/ChocolateWineUK

For an affordable but tasty white, I’d recommend Cono Sur Bicycle Chardonnay. Packed with rich ripe peach flavours, this unoaked Chardonnay has a lightness and a freshness that entirely complements veggie dishes whilst being wholly suitable for white meats, and at £7.49 a bottle is just the thing for parties. The citrus aroma really lifts what could have been a heavy fruity wine into something rather bright and decidedly enjoyable. Cono Sur Bicycle Chardonnay 2009, is available from Tesco and http://www.Yourfavouritewines.com

For sparkling wine drinkers you can’t go far wrong with Spanish producer Codorníu. Codorníu Reina Maria Cristina Blanc de Noirs 2008 is a new release for winter 2011. Made from predominantly black grapes, this premium cava was created in honour of the Regent Queen Maria Cristina of Spain who granted Codorníu its royal supplier status in 1897 and has a fantastic red fruit aroma. At £14.99 a bottle, Codorníu Reina Maria Cristina Blanc de Noirs 2008 is available from Majestic and a number of other in dependant wine retailers.

If the Codorníu Reina Maria Cristina Blanc de Noirs stretches your pocket a little too much, there’s always Codorníu Selección Raventós. At £9.99 a bottle Codorníu Selección Raventós is a light and refreshing sparkling alternative, with notes of citrus and apple and an intense fruity aftertaste.  Originally reserved for the private enjoyment of the Raventós winemaking family, who lead Codorníu today, taking a sip of Selección Raventós feels a little like you’re being let into a secret and the fab bell-shaped bottles would grace any dinner table. For more information visit:  http://www.codorniu.co.uk

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