During the summer and the occasional unseasonal heatwave, we mostly stick to white wine. A glass of white pairs perfectly with July barbecues, late August afternoons, and warm September evenings, especially when vegan snacks are involved.
The problem is that some wine is not vegan due to the animal-based fining agents used (winemakers may use gelatin or isinglass to clarify wine and remove unwanted compounds), 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 The VegNews Guide to Vegan Wine.
Rest easy, however—we’ve got you. Here are some of our favorite accessible, refreshing, and affordable vegan white wines. Plus we’ve included a few of our favorite plant-based recipe pairings, too.
Avaline
1 Avaline’s Sauvignon Blanc
Our recommended food pairing: Lemon Bucatini With Asparagus, Wine, and Butter
This crisp, fresh sauvignon blanc from Avaline boasts bright notes of ripe citrus and rose petals. It’s also made with organic grapes, and it’s free of added colors and unnecessary sugars. According to co-founder Cameron Diaz, this tipple is best enjoyed with a shared platter of snacks.
shop THE WINE, $26
Villa Sparina
2 Villa Sparina Gavi
Our recommended food pairing: White Bean Rosemary Bruschetta
In the rolling hills of Northern Italy, just an hour south of Milan, Villa Sparina produces its famous Gavi wine. 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.
Shop THE WINE, $16.95
Inama
3 Inama Soave Classico
Our recommended food pairing: Vegan Crab and Cream Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms
When a house helper 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.
Shop THE WINE, $16.95
Fournier Pere et Fils
4 Fournier Sancerre “Les Belles Vignes”
Our recommended food pairing: Healthy Cucumber Sushi Rolls With Spicy Mayo
This Sauvignon Blanc is just so pretty. It has delicate citrus aromas that carry through to taste, and it’s from Sancerre in central France, one of the world’s most established regions for Sauvignon Blanc. The Fournier family has been farming there since the 1800s, so they know what they’re doing.
Shop THE WINE, $35.99
Cordero di Montezemolo
5 Cordero di Montezemolo, Langhe Arneis
Our recommended food pairing: Plum, Radicchio, and Walnut Salad With Tahini Yogurt Dressing
Arneis is a little-known white Italian grape variety. It tends to be overshadowed because it comes from an area better known for producing bold red wines like Barolo. What it lacks in fame it makes up for in character. This white is bold and flavorsome with tangible notes of tangy green apples, pear, chamomile, and a hint of almond.
Shop THE WINE, $22.95
Pewsey Vale
6 Pewsey Vale Riesling
Our recommended food pairing: Easy Fresh Spring Rolls
A lot of people assume that all Rieslings are 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.
shop THE WINE, $21.95
Dr. Loosen
7 Dr. Loosen “Dr. L” Riesling
Our recommended food pairing: Butternut Squash and Risotto-Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms
If you like a light touch of sweetness in your wine, this option is for you. It’s mouthwateringly cool and crisp with the prominent flavors of apple, lemon, and pear. At just 8.5 percent alcohol, it’s ideal for weekdays and lunches.
Shop THE WINE, $12.95
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