Holiday Vegan Wine Guide – The Whites

Vegan White Wine – Your Holiday Guide

Wines are only made from grapes and yeast, right? Not always. After fermentation, wine typically contains microscopic particles called colloids that can make the wine appear cloudy. While these particles are harmless and don’t affect the taste of your wine, many wine drinkers who are used to seeing bright, clear wines often misinterpret haziness as a flaw. Since, winemakers use fining to produce a wine that is clear and bright – and many use animal by-products in the clarification process.

According to many wineries, wine may consist of more than just grapes.

“Ingredients” in Non-Vegan Wines:

• Blood and bone marrow
• Casein (milk protein)
• Chitin (fibre from crustacean shells)
• Egg albumen
• Fish oil Gelatin (protein from boiling animal parts)
• Isinglass (gelatin from fish bladder membranes)

Again, these “ingredients” are used to filter the wine, and, shockingly, most wines won’t state these on their label because they’re not actually ingredients, just components of the winemaking process. It’s worth looking for wines with vegan labels—some wines do clearly mark this on the bottle! Otherwise, visit any vegan specialty shop and you’ll likely be able to get your hands on animal-product free vino. 😉

These wines in this Holiday Vegan Wine Guide list wines that are confirmed vegan and they are so because they use alternative filtration methods like:

• Bentonite clay
• Limestone
• Kaolin clay
• Plant casein
• Silica gel
• Vegetable plaques

Enjoy any of these at your next holiday party or bring them to a party and give them to the hostess as a gift! Oh, and when you’re done make sure to check out our other “everyday” Vegan Wine Guide here.

Vegan White Wine – Chardonnay

Bread & Butter Chardonnay 2016. A toasty, oaky and, yes, buttery-flavored white with hints of juicy apple and tropical fruit makes this white a delightful pairing with puréed winter vegetable soups. You’ll taste rich notes of vanilla bean and almond combined with a slight woodiness from the oak. Just like that first bite of dessert, this wine lingers into a long, “creamy” finish. Pairs well with any holiday dish that features vegan butter or vegan butter sauce… casseroles, creamy pastas or soups, squash and seasonal winter vegetables. $14.99

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015. The ripeness of the vintage Chardonnay is apparent right away with notes of fresh pineapple and stone fruit bursting from the glass during the first pour. Juicy melon and a tasty variety of baking spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg make this white perfect for the holidays. Its richness and depth are not to be forgotten. $48.99

Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay 2015. This bright white features lime, golden pear and white peach with a splash of sweet spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and complex tones of sesame and cashew. It’s delicate textures sweet and savory notes make this a vibrant white you won’t want to put down. $39.99 – Order it here.

Schug Carneros Chardonnay 2016. This classic Chardonnay is both velvety rich and delightfully powerful. It’s perfectly refreshing and elegant on the finish. It has a spicy tropical bouquet with flavors that of citrus, pear, and spiced apples. Its well-balanced acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish, making it an excellent wine to pair with holiday dishes. Try it with “creamy” soups, rich roasted vegetables and pasta dishes. $25.99 – Order it here.

Stoller Vineyards Chardonnay 2015. The 2015 Chardonnay has a delicate bouquet with subtle notes of nectarine, citrus and a hint of walnut. It’s well balanced with a spicy, lemongrass-tinged taste with a slightly nutty finish make an immediate impression. This is well worth seeking out – especially at this price point. $25.99

Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay 2015. With delicious aromas of ripe, tropical fruit, citrus and banana, this white is bursting with flavors of pears, lemons, baked apples, stone fruit and creamy notes of butter, amoretto, creme brulee and toasty vanilla from barrel aging. It’s an opulent Chardonnay with a balanced acidity and a long, smooth lingering finish. $20.99

Matchbook Chardonnay 2016. Luscious and rich with juicy tropical fruit, the 2016 Estate Bottled Old Head Chardonnay is a showcase wine. This Chardonnay has tropical aromas of mango and melon combined with notes of toasty oak. Flavors of vanilla are balanced with pineapple, pear and ripe melon. Its lingering fruit finish with lovely notes of butter and toasted marshmallow make this a holiday wine your guests will love. Enjoy on its own or paired with panko crusted vegetables, roasted pine nut pasta or wild mushroom risotto. $14.99

Murphy-Goode California Chardonnay 2016. This wine is exceptional well-balanced with hints of caramel apple and ripe pears. This Chardonnay is quite versatile. It pairs nicely with spicier dishes such as pumpkin curry as well as lighter pasta dishes. $13.99 – Order it here.

Vegan White Wine – Sauvignon Blanc

Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2017. This Sauvignon Blanc is bright and juicy with aromas of dried citrus and tropical fruit. It’s flavored palate and long finish pair it nicely with any lemon-accented or herb-dusted roasted vegetable dish. $26.99 – Order it here.

Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2017. This luxurious white tastes immediately of pineapple, passionfruit and intense citrus blossom. It has a creamy mouthfeel and texture due to Loveblock’s organic winegrowing practices. Pair it with lemongrass-based dishes, asparagus, salads and Asian-inspired cuisine. $20.99 – Order it here.

Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc 2016. This white exudes flavors of ripe lime and lemon, grapefruit, pear and white nectarine with a hint of fresh-cut grass. The aroma is fresh with hints of passion fruit making the mouth simply water. Balanced yet lively acidity lingers with a vibrant freshness. Pair it with lighter appetizers and salads. $27.99 – Order it here.

Grgich Hills Estate Fume Blanc 2015. The 2015 Grgich Hills Fumé Blanc has bright flavors of dried herbs, green olives, and guava. It’s richness and perky aftertaste pair it well with seared winter vegetables in savory sauces as well as creamy pastas dishes and fresh salads. $28.99 – Order it here.

Vegan White Wine – Riesling

Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling Reserve 2012. The Reserve features a luxurious taste of tangerine followed with notes of citrus and a surprising touch of juniper berry. A lingering finish continues to makes the mouth water long after the wine is gone. Pair it with white wine drizzled sauces and creamy potatoes and pastas. $26.98 – Order it here.

Trimbach Riesling 2015. A clean-cut and minerally white with hints of fresh pear, beeswax, apricot and preserved lemon make this a memorable wine indeed. Riesling can be enjoyed throughout the meal, and also with pastas and winter vegetables in white wine sauces or spices and refined spicy or Asian dishes. $21.99 – Order it here.

Kuentz-Bas Riesling 2015. While it makes for a delicious aperitif, this wine truly shines at table—you’ll find it pairs perfectly with anything from traditional holiday fare to more creative and exotic dishes, with wonderful results. $16.99 – Order it here.

Eroica Riesling 2014. Eroica Riesling tastes of sweet lime and fresh mandarin orange aromas with subtle mineral notes. The mouth-watering acidity is beautifully balanced with notable Riesling fruits. Eroica is a blended statement of the finest Riesling vineyards in Washington state. To achieve the Eroica style, the winery strives for bright fruit with crisp acidity and enhanced minerality. Less sweet than the Eroica Gold Riesling, the 2014 Eroica Riesling is classic with unforgettable aromas of citrus rind, lychee and sugared lime in its medium-bodied, juicy, vibrant and thirst-quenching style. It’s incredibly versatile on the holiday dinner table and drinks nicely for upwards of a decade. $17.98 – Order it here.

Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling Dry 2016.

#9 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys of 2018

This crisp, refreshing Riesling is the dry counterpart to the fruity, off-dry Dr. L Riesling. Expect a beautiful balance between its ripeness and acidity. More mineral than fruit, this dry, crisp white is a fantastic value. Expect delicious notes of tangerine and green apple flavors bursting with hints of lime and refreshing mineral aromas. $14.99 – Order it here.

Happy Holidays

Remember, enjoy any of these at your next holiday party or bring them to a party and give them to the hostess as a gift! Next make sure to check out our other “everyday” Vegan Wine Guide here.