Did you know that all wine isn’t vegan? I learned this a few years ago from one of my friends who I call a wine connoisseur and needless to say, I was severely grossed out. A seemingly harmless item that has been around for centuries, has now been adulterer with animals? WHY?! Well, according to The Waves – a leader in the natural wine space and subscription program – says the majority of people are unaware that wine, although made from grapes, may have been made using animal-derived products. During the wine making process, the liquid is filtered through substances called “fining agents.” This process is used to remove protein, yeast, cloudiness, “off” flavors and colorings, and other organic particles. Popular animal-derived fining agents used in the production of wine include blood and bone marrow, casein (milk protein), chitin (fiber from crustacean shells), egg albumen (derived from egg whites), fish oil, gelatin (protein from boiling animal parts), and isinglass (gelatin from fish bladder membranes). Yep, GROSS!! And there are no legal requirements to put any of this on the wine labels, so how would anyone know!!

Some things I just won’t understand, but what I can do is try and find a solution. I’ve traveled extensively (as most of you know) – to 43 countries exactly. And wine is HUGE in many parts of the world. But a lot of the wine made and served on remote islands in Europe or in the middle of Argentina, Spain or Germany are natural, I.e., they don’t use any of the above processes and additives, making it completely vegan. So, when I found The Waves, I knew I had to make a splash in the market and use my culinary prowess as a way to educate folks on the wine world and furthermore, break the barriers of wine having a presence in the South Asian world. Now, you’re probably like – what does this have to do with anything? Well, I’m South Asian and I didn’t grow up in a household where wine was part of the routine like many South American or European families. So, I want to show how wine can not only be vegan, BUT it can be an amazing companion to spicy, bold and flavorful South Asian food.

Thus, my first ever “The Pri-Approved Vegan Wine Bundle” was born! Working closely with the experts at The Waves, I sampled, tested and analyzed DOZENS of wines to put together the perfect bundle for you! It includes a Sparkling Rose, an Orange Wine and a Red Wine.

EXPLORE THE FIRST EVERY PRI-APPROVED VEGAN WINE BUNDLE

USE CODE: HOL20 for a discount AND free shipping!

We offer 3 different bundles, but my star bundle includes:

1. Sparkling Rosé, by Weingut Schmitt (Rheinhessen, Germany)
A naturally sparkling rosé known as a “pet nat,” from a biodynamic winemaker in Germany whose estate goes back 200 years. Fizzy, tart, with hints of herbs and spices.

2. Orange Wine, by Cantina Marilina (Sicily, Italy)
The perfect intro to orange wine – i.e., wines made with white grapes that are fermented with their skins, which gives it a beautiful golden color. Notes of dried fruits, ginger, and lemon oil.

3. Red Wine, by Broc Cellars (Solano County, CA)
A juicy, light blend of red grapes that has punch and personality, and is prepared for a wide range of foods and group gatherings.

If this article has piqued your interest in any way OR just made you a little more curious about natural wine, I encourage you to get my bundle! It not only supports me as an eco-friendly chef, author and creator, but it supports a small business like The Waves, helps shares knowledge about wine and the agricultural industry, and not to mention, makes a PERFECT gift for that wine lover, vegan food lover, or even wine skeptic (trust me, I was one once, too!). Happy Wining!