This year’s summer holiday has been unpredictable to say the least, with scorching sunny days, flash floods, thunderstorms and there were even reports of hail in London in July.
However, it looks like we may get one final chance to make the most of our gardens, local beaches or seaside staycations this weekend before rolling into Autumn.
When temperatures are on the rise, we know how tempting it can be to live off vegan ice cream or sit yourself in front of the electric fan, but we think we’ve found the perfect way to keep cool – by enjoying one of our most popular wines registered with The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark. Vegan wine is made in the same way as ‘normal wine’ and uses the same grapes. However, the vegan wines have been fined, the process of removing unwanted material, using natural substances such as clay or charcoal instead of animal derived substances.
First up on our list is a sparkling pinot grigio by La Cantina Pizzolato. Excellent as an aperitif, this wine goes well with all nibbles. Plus for those environmentally-conscious amongst us, the beautiful floral sleeve is completely removable, making it 100% recyclable.
Following this is the South African Extra Special Chenin Blanc by ASDA. This dry-grown, old bush vine Chenin Blanc is barrel fermented to give it aromas of ripe mangoes and nectarines.
Third on the list is Click N Drink’s Bericanto DOC Prosecco – because nothing says summer like a bottle of bubbles. Bright and vivid in color, sparkling and slightly aromatic, with a refreshing taste and a dry finish. We think this one is perfectly suited to a picnic on the beach or dinner in the garden.
Of course, there’s a great option for rosé lovers too. A sip of this Leclerc Briant Rose Champagne Brut will transport anyone to a vineyard in France. It has been carefully crafted by owners Mark Nunelly and Denise Dupré. It was the fifth-generation family member, Pascal Leclerc, that achieved the first organic certification for a part of the vineyards and today, the whole estate is certified as organic.
Now you may be forgiven for thinking that red wines are to be avoided when that summer sun hits, however we had to include this Morrisons Malbec on our list. As well as being suitable for vegans, the grapes used are harvested by hand and undergo traditional destemming and crushing. This is a classic rich, fruit driven Argentinean Malbec with elegant blackberry and plum flavours and a long fruity finish. Plus at £6.50 a bottle, it certainly won’t break the bank.
Ericka Durgahee, Marketing Manager at The Vegan Society, said: “Whether you consider yourself a bit of a wine connoisseur, or just enjoy a bottle of fizz with friends, there really is something for everyone. We know that consumers can spend hours looking for a bottle that is not only vegan but is also suitable for their taste, style and budget. Having so many fantastic wines registered with the Vegan Trademark makes it all that much easier. The vegan wine business is booming. ”
Jem Gardener, from Vinceremos Wines & Spirits Ltd, which carries a number of Vegan Trademark wines, added: “As specialist importers of vegan organic wines for over 30 years we’ve seen quite extraordinary changes in the past few. Previously suppliers were a little reluctant to publicise the fact that their wines were vegan in case this deterred non-vegans from buying them. Now it’s become quite normal, a definite ‘plus point’, not just to have ‘vegan’ on the label but to include vegan certification with the Trademark there also. Vegan really has joined the mainstream now!”
To see a full list of wines registered with The Vegan Trademark visit The Vegan Trademark | The Vegan Society. To read Wine Tourism’s latest article about wines carrying the Vegan Trademark and vegan and organic wineries to visit please visit The Vegan Society vegan-certifierar vinbranschen! | Vinjournalen.se.
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
