Thursday, February 28, 2008

What is Vegan Wine?

Vegan Wine is a Surprising and Delightful Complement to Vegan Food - Satisfying the Strictest of Vegetarian Demands!

During the wine making process both organic and non-organic vintners typically employ the use of clarifying/fining agents derived from animal products - those ranging from egg whites, egg albumin, casein (milk protein) and gelatin (derived from animal bones) to chitin (obtained from lobster and crab shells) and isinglass
(a fish by-product).

Fining is the process which makes cloudy wine clear, and removes "off" tastes and unwanted substances missed during the filtration part of the process. As the fining agents are poured into the wine, they pass from top to bottom, acting as magnets that attract the unwanted particles. Once completing their journey they are removed - theoretically leaving no traces of them behind.

It is the agents used for fining that determine the suitability of wine for Vegans. Fining agents used to process Vegan Wines are typically organic, plant or mineral-based material such as bentonite clay, kaolin, carbon or diatomaceous earth (rock made from pulverized algae).

It is fortunate that there are wines available that have had no contact with animal matter whatsoever. It is unfortunate however that finding them is difficult, as they are not always readily available, or clearly labeled. Then too, once you locate one of these Vegan Wines you'll find that it may not be produced as vegan in a subsequent vintage of that same wine.

What is Biodynamic Wine?

Biodynamic Wine is Truly the Hallmark of Natural Flavor in Wine!

The proof is on your palate! For those who have tasted biodynamic wines, you know what we mean. For those who have yet to taste them, you're in for a treat.

Comparatively speaking, biodynamic is like "ultra" organic, and is actually the oldest system of organic agriculture known, dating back to 1924. Most people are aware of the superior quality, nutritional value and flavor of organic foods. With respect to wine, the theory is that better-tasting wine is the result of better-tasting grapes, which result from healthier vines and healthier soil - seems rather logical.

. Organic vintners shun synthetic chemicals in favor of nurturing soil and plants in an ecologically sound manner. They follow nature's lead in combating plant and soil adversities with natural remedies - No synthetics for us to digest.

. Biodynamic viticulture adheres to the same natural practices as organic viticulture, but places even more emphasis on nourishing the soil while caring for the vines - using natural remedies and stringent vinification processes. The biodynamic grape grower carries organic to the next level by supporting and intensifying nature's processes to heal vineyards damaged by decades of previous pollution.

Biodynamic viticulture is in tune with the totality of forces affecting the growth of the vines and their fruit. Believing that plants respond to all the various forces of nature, biodynamic vintners conduct their farming practices on strict schedules in accordance with the cycles of the moon, planets and stars. They have been able to us that total harmony with nature to optimize the taste that you experience with biodynamic wines.

Gradually, more vintners are moving toward biodynamic viticulture because they know it works, and wine critics are finding more and more that biodynamic wines have cleaner taste, better aroma and a longer finish.


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