10 Best Vegan Wines UK 2024 | Tesco, Asda and More
Whether your family has followed a vegan diet for generations or you've just begun the transition to a plant-based lifestyle, wine shopping can be testing. It's fantastic that vineyards from all over the world, including New Zealand, Argentina, France and Italy, have begun producing vegan-friendly wine. Still, it can be hard knowing which one to choose.
We've compared the silky reds to the floral rosés, the crisp whites to the sparkling bubbles of Prosecco. We've looked at the top UK retailers such as Tesco, Asda and Waitrose, examined the quality, flavour, taste, and price of their best vegan and organic wines and created this guide to help you choose. We'll even tell you which vegan food to pair them with!
Quick List - Top Vegan Wines
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How to Choose a Vegan Wine in the UK - Buying Guide
Aside from the obvious step of making sure it doesn't contain any animal products, the process of choosing a vegan wine is much the same as selecting any other wine. The colour, the grape, the flavours and the food pairings are all essential things to consider when choosing a vegan wine.
Check the Manufacturer's Website for the Correct Information
UK supermarkets have been doing a great job of increasing their vegan options. Many retailers, such as Waitrose, now place a vegan sticker on their wine products, but as this is not a requirement, it is not always the case.
To be 100% certain, you'll need to check the manufacturers' website for a list of their fining agents – these are often derived from animal products and include things like gelatine, boiled-fish bladder, or fish oil. Vegan wines will use alternatives such as bentonite clay and silica gel.
If you have a favourite wine that does not state if it is vegan on the label or elsewhere, there is still a chance it does not contain animal products. There are many online resources or databases you can consult to be sure, such as Barnivore.
First, Decide on the Colour
From red to white, rosé to sparkling, there is more to these categories than colour alone. Flavour, acidity and food pairings will all determine the best wine for the occasion.
White Wine Is Light and Crisp
Contrary to popular belief, the colour of the grapes used in wine-making does not determine the colour of the wine. All grapes, when pressed, produce a clear or light green juice – the skins are what gives wine its colour.
White wine is made by removing the skins and seeds and only fermenting the juice. It tends to be light, crisp and refreshing when served cold and is often a favourite amongst new wine-drinkers.
White wines are best paired with fruit-based dishes, salads and vegetables like avocado, artichoke and asparagus.
Red Wine Is Bold and Full-Bodied
Red wine is made much the same way as white, but the seeds and skins are left in during fermentation. Leaving the skin in gives red wine its colour, texture and tannins, which often produces a bold, full-bodied and mature flavour.
These bold notes make the structure of red wine more complex than white and generally more popular with seasoned wine-drinkers. Red wines pair great with heavier dishes like bean and lentil stews, or portobello mushroom burgers and roasted aubergines.
Rosé Is Fruity and Floral
Rosé is usually made from red or purple grapes and is somewhat in between a red and a white wine. To make rosé, the skins are left to soak for only a few hours so that it takes on just a little of the colour and flavour.
Because of this, the liquid can take on other flavours left on the grape skin such as flowers, which produces a fruity and floral taste.
Rosé wines are perfect paired with barbecued veggie skewers, acidic salads or summer tartlets.
Sparkling Wines Are Perfect for a Special Occasion
Sparkling wines are produced much in the same way as white wine, but with a second round of fermentation. During this stage, sugar and yeast are added to create carbon dioxide – the bubbles.
Sparkling wines (aside from accompanying any celebration, of course) are a fabulous choice for pairing with fruit-based desserts like crepes or tarts and anything with fresh, citrus flavours. They're also a well-known palate cleanser, working wonderfully well with rich, fatty foods.
Consider Whether You'd Prefer Dry or Sweet
One of the main things to consider when choosing a vegan wine is the level of sweetness. Check the label as the choice can go from extra dry – like a Chenin Blanc – to super sweet, like port or dessert wine. Each grape produces a different level of sweetness which emits a different flavour.
If You're Eating, Pair the Wine to Your Food
When you're choosing a wine for a dinner or lunch, you need to pick a bottle with flavours that compliment the dish. Think of wine not as an accompaniment to food, but as an ingredient of the meal itself.
For vegan food, pair your wine with the most prominent flavours of the dish. For example, if you have a nutty, creamy pasta sauce, choose a buttery, creamy Sauvignon. Knowing a little about the main grapes and types of wines will help you choose which wine is best for the job.
Sauvignon Blanc: Fresh, Herby Dishes and Green Vegetables
Sauvignon Blanc has a very unique flavour which differs depending on the region. It's zesty, fragrant and dry with a refreshing acidity.
In warm climates such as New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc takes on flavours of exotic fruits like passionfruit and gooseberry, but in the cooler climates of France, the wine will taste more of citrus flavours, lawns and nettle.
Sauvignon Blanc pairs with fresh, herby dishes, or green vegetables like kale, green beans and avocados.
Chardonnay: Toasted Flavours and Pastry
One of the highest-quality and most popular grapes in the world, Chardonnay is a favourite amongst both newbies and seasoned wine drinkers. The flavour of Chardonnay largely differs depending on whether it has spent time soaking in oak barrels.
Unoaked Chardonnay tastes very fresh, carrying a distinctive flavour of green apples, whereas oaked Chardonnays taste more of vanilla and toffee, with a nutty and sometimes smoky finish. It pairs well with toasty flavours like roasted nuts or golden pastry dishes.
Pinot Grigio: Light Italian Dishes and Salads
Pinot Grigio has a light, fresh flavour and tastes distinctly of pears, apricots and peaches. Depending on the country and region of the vineyard, Pinot Grigio can also claim more buttery notes like almonds and honey.
Pinot Grigio pairs excellently with nutty salads, light pasta dishes with smooth sauces or creamy vegetable risottos.
Merlot: Roasted Vegetables and Stews
Merlot is a very popular drinking wine and thankfully, tends not to be too expensive. Its soft texture often tastes of plums, red fruits, summer pudding, or even chocolate and gentle spices. With a simple palate, Merlot is often a favourite amongst new wine drinkers.
Merlot is ideal for pairing with dishes like mushroom risotto, stew, and roasted vegetables.
Pinot Noir: Root Veg and Tomato Sauces
Pinot Noir is considered to be 'the safe bet' when serving wine with food. It has a versatile and charismatic pallet enabling it to complement a wide variety of dishes. Depending on the age of the wine, it can taste of fresh forest fruits like cherries or raspberries or more earthy notes like forests.
It pairs well with any tomato-based dishes, aubergine, peppers, or root vegetables like sweet potato and pumpkin.
Corked Wines Aren't Always Superior to Screw-Caps
There is often an assumption surrounding wine that a corked wine bottle is of a much higher quality than a screw-top, but that isn't necessarily the case.
Natural corks can let in a tiny amount of air, which makes them better suited to full-bodied red wines as the oxidation improves the taste over time, creating a softer, smoother finish.
On the other hand, screw-tops are often better for white wine as they completely seal the top, preserving the crisp freshness of the white wine flavours.
10 Best Vegan Wines in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Domaine Paul Blanck Riesling Grand Cru Furstentum | | The Number One Riesling Available in the UK | |
2 | Terre di Faiano Organic Primitivo | | The Sommelier-Approved Velvety Red From Italy | |
3 | Tesco Finest Châteauneuf du Pape | | A Full-Bodied Red Wine With Rich Flavours of Forest Fruits | |
4 | San Leo Prosecco Brut｜NV D.O.C | | A Popular Prosecco That Offers Luxury Without the Price Tag | |
5 | Tesco Finest Prevence Rose | | A Pale Pink Rosé From One of the Leading UK Supermarkets | |
6 | Tesco Finest Sancerre | | A Classic Sauvignon Taste From Tesco's Finest | |
7 | Boschendal Sauvignon Blanc | | A Tropical Sauvignon Blanc From the South African Mountains | |
8 | Asda Extra Special Chenin Blanc | | The Affordable Chenin Blanc With a Buttery Finish | |
9 | Torres Sangre de Toro | | The Red Drinking Wine From the Sun-Kissed Mediterranean | |
10 | Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône｜ Reserve | | A Light Côtes du Rhône to Share Among Friends |
Domaine Paul BlanckRiesling Grand Cru Furstentum
The Number One Riesling Available in the UK
Our top choice of vegan wine in the UK is the mouthwatering Domaine Paul Blanck Riesling Grand Cru Furstentum. From the North-East region of France, this vineyard produces some of the best Riesling available in the UK.
It's everything you want from a dry white – it's elegant, it's rich, and it's buttery. But with the citrus notes, it's also incredibly refreshing, meaning that it would hold its own as a drink as well as pair wonderfully with vegan food – especially salads and pasta.
The Sommelier-Approved Velvety Red From Italy
Recognised by sommeliers, professionals and wine-enthusiasts everywhere the Terre di Faiano Organic Primitivo is one of the most popular wines in Waitrose.
This full-bodied red is velvety-smooth yet complex. With concentrated flavours of red berries, this is a great choice if you're looking to buy organic. Just as you'd expect, it pairs beautifully with rich, tomato-based dishes such as pizzas or pasta.
A Full-Bodied Red Wine With Rich Flavours of Forest Fruits
This full-bodied, dry red wine from Southern France is a favourite for its rich, delicious flavour. By blending a variety of grapes in the sun-kissed south, the process has created a wine with a complex structure built of layers upon layers of forest fruits, spices and cherries.
With such rich notes of berries, it is a superb wine to drink alongside a dish with strong, classic flavours. This is a stand-out choice if you're looking for a high-quality wine on a not-so-high budget.
A Popular Prosecco That Offers Luxury Without the Price Tag
It seems like the world's gone mad for Prosecco recently, and one of the most popular choices when you want your wine to come with bubbles is the San Leo Prosecco Brut NV.
This Prosecco is notorious for being one of the best on the market, winning the crowds over with its refreshing citrus bursts. This is an excellent celebration wine that brings you a luxurious experience without the price tag.
A Pale Pink Rosé From One of the Leading UK Supermarkets
This pale pink rosé from the Tesco Finest collection is everything you want from a rosé – crisp, dry, fruity and light, and perfect for a warm summer's day!
Sourced from the coastal vineyards of South-East France, these sun-drenched grapes produce an elegant and refreshing rosé with delicious fruity flavours. It's no surprise that it makes for a delicious accompaniment to barbecued vegetables or antipasti plates.
A Classic Sauvignon Taste From Tesco's Finest
Another one from Tesco's Finest range, this Sancerre is a splendid choice if you're after the classic Sauvignon Blanc flavour. It's crisp and dry with a creamy, silky finish and its aromas are subtle yet rich with notes of lemon and tropical fruit.
It pairs excellently with salads and refreshing green vegetable dishes. White wine can be kept much longer when closed with a screw-top, however, this one has a natural cork which can let out a little air over time.
A Tropical Sauvignon Blanc From the South African Mountains
Boschendal's wines have been around since 1685, so it's fair to say that they have a good grasp on how to make a decent bottle! Grown in the mountains of Southern Africa, these grapes ripen slowly allowing the flavours to become more intense over time – however, depending on your preferences, this might not be such a good thing!
With a blend of tropical fruits, figs and citrus flavours, we'd recommend serving this wine with fresh summer salads and grilled vegetables.
The Affordable Chenin Blanc With a Buttery Finish
If you're looking for an affordable white, you can't beat Asda's own Chenin Blanc. This dry, light, Southern African wine has the distinctive buttery Chenin Blanc taste, with rich, creamy notes of nuts and honey and a mixed blend of fresh peaches and ripe mangos.
Labelled clearly as vegan-friendly by Asda, this is a great wine to pair with a Sunday roast! The taste of this wine, however, can become a little overpowering for some dishes.
The Red Drinking Wine From the Sun-Kissed Mediterranean
The Torres Sangre de Toro is another fantastic choice for a red wine suited more to drinking than serving alongside food. Made from Mediterranean grapes, this wine has an exceptionally light and fruity palate, accentuating flavours of deep plums and dark forest fruits.
Its dry palate might be a little heavy for some, but its spicy flavours give it something a little unusual that will perhaps appeal to more seasoned red wine drinkers.
A Light Côtes du Rhône to Share Among Friends
This Côtes du Rhone from Les Dauphins is advertised as a vibrant and full-bodied red, but the taste is actually much lighter and more comfortable to drink than you would first think. It has the classic Rhône taste of summer fruits and cherries, with hints of spicy pepper and sweet vanilla.
It's not the best choice to serve alongside food, but rather, a marvellous choice when splitting a bottle between a friend or two.
Why Is Wine Not Always Vegan?
A common misconception is that all wines are vegan. They only contain grapes, right? Well, not exactly – it's all to do with the fining process.
The fining process is a stage in wine-making which helps stabilise the wine, reduce its bitterness, and make the liquid clear. These fining agents (or ingredients) are often elements which contain animal products such as egg whites, milk protein, bone marrow or gelatine.
Vegan wines will instead use fining agents that are clay or charcoal-based or even remove the fining process entirely.
More Complements for Your Vegan Feast
Want to know which dairy-free cheese you should scatter atop your lasagne or which dessert to serve with after-dinner coffee? Find three more of our vegan-friendly articles below to find exactly what you need for your feast.
Summary
Whether you're splitting a bottle between friends or you're serving up a feast of delicious vegan food, there is the perfect wine for every occasion. We hope this guide helped you in discovering the different varieties, how to spot a vegan wine, and how to pair the perfect bottle with your meal. Cheers!
Author: Roxy Pratley
Top 5 Vegan Wines
No. 1: Domaine Paul Blanck｜Riesling Grand Cru Furstentum
No. 2: Terre di Faiano｜Organic Primitivo
No. 3: Tesco Finest｜Châteauneuf du Pape
No. 4: San Leo ｜Prosecco Brut｜NV D.O.C
No. 5: Tesco Finest｜Prevence Rose
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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