During the summer and the occasional unseasonal heatwave, we mostly stick to white wine. A glass of white pairs perfectly with late August afternoons and warm September evenings, especially when vegan snacks are involved (see below for VegNews’ food and wine pairing picks). The problem is that some wine is not vegan due to the animal-based fining agents used, so we can’t just stroll into a BevMo and pick up a wine with a pretty label and be confident that it’s vegan—at least not without checking trusty vegan alcohol app Barnivore.com. Rest easy and stock your wine cooler with these accessible, refreshing, and affordable vegan white wines.
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1. Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi, 2019
Villa Sparina hails from the rolling hills of Northern Italy, just an hour south of Milan. This white is bright and refreshing with hints of peach and white flowers. It’s fabulous for sharing with friends, with or without food. Bonus: it’s easy to upcycle the bottle. Simply remove the labels, wash thoroughly, and you have a new gorgeous glass water bottle. Find this white at Total Wine, Whole Foods, and other local retailers for $15 to $20.
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2. Inama Soave Classico 2018
When a servant said to Romeo, “I pray, come crush a cup of wine” (translation: “fancy a drink?”), he might have been talking about Soave wine. It comes from volcanic slopes just 20 miles from Verona in Italy where the young Capulet famously wooed Juliet from her balcony. This wine is elegant and fresh with notes of apple, pear, and elderflower. Pick up a bottle for yourself at Total Wine, Whole Foods, wine.com, and various local retailers for $16 to $18.
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3. Sutro Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Only 111 cases of this zesty Sauvignon Blanc were produced last year. It’s made by an all-female team in Alexander Valley, Northern California. It has tasting notes of sherbet lemon, mandarin, and zippy green apple. It’s bright and so satisfying. While it’s only available through the winery online, this $28 bottle is worth the wait to get it to your door.
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4. Fournier Sancerre “Les Belles Vignes” 2018
This Sauvignon Blanc is just so pretty. It has delicate blossom, fresh peach, and lemon aromas that carry through to taste. It’s from Sancerre in the center of France, which is one of the world’s most established regions for Sauvignon Blanc. The Fournier family have been farming there since the 1800s, so they know what they’re doing. Find it on wine.com for around $30.
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5. Ovum “To Love Somebody” Gewurztraminer 2018
Wines made with the Gewurztraminer grape always have plenty of aroma. This one from Oregon is bursting with peaches, orange oil, and blossom with a hint of ginger spice to taste. This variety shares its name with the famous Bee Gees 1967 track and 1969 Nina Simone cover—YouTube it; you’ll know the song once you hear it. This vintage is still available in some local wine shops for around $20. The 2019 bottle, coined “Love your Lovin Ways” after another of Simone’s tracks, is available online, too. All Ovum wines are vegan-friendly.
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6. Chateau de la Ragotiere Muscadet Sur Lie Black Label 2018
Many wineries are family-owned, but few can claim to trace their origins back to the 14th century via a family tree on the wall of their 600-year-old French chateau. Les Freres Couillaud can, and the wines reflect the centuries of dedication and experience. This white tastes of juicy lemon and crisp green apple. Find it for around $18 on wine.com.
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7. Cordero di Montezemolo, Langhe Arneis 2019
Arneis is a little-known white Italian grape variety. It tends to be overshadowed as it comes from an area that is more famous for producing bold red wines like Barolo. What it lacks in fame it makes up for in character. This white is boldy flavorsome with tangible notes of tangy green apples, pear, chamomile, and a hint of almond. Find it in various online stores for $16 to $18.
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8. Pewsey Vale Riesling 2017
A lot of people assume that all Riesling is sweet, but plenty of delicious Rieslings are dry, too. This Australian bottle is a case in point. It’s completely dry, citrus-driven (think limes), and invigorating. Find it at Total Wine, Wine.com, and various independent retailers for $15 to $20.
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9. Dr. Loosen “Dr. L” Riesling 2018
If you like a light touch of sweetness in your wine, this option is for you. It’s mouth-wateringly cool and crisp with the prominent flavors of lemon, peach, and orange blossom. At just 8.5 percent alcohol, it’s ideal for weekdays and lunches. Find it at Whole Foods, Total Wine, and Wine.com for around $15.
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10. Les Hauts de Lagarde 2018
Bordeaux is famous for its great reds, but it has plenty of noteworthy (and affordable) white wines. This variety is grassy, floral, and revitalizing—a steal for $13.99 at Whole Foods.
Looking to pair your favorite white wine with a few snacks? Check out our VegNews Vegan Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide and our Vegan Wine and Chocolate Pairing Guide.
Sarah Phillips is a wine educator based in Miami, FL who documents her favorite wine discoveries on her blog, whatsarahdrinks.com.
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