• This wine, for that dish

    So much wine, so little time. Here are some standout vegan-friendly wines to try this November in celebration of World Vegan Month, paired with delicious recipes from our magazine.

    Written by Malu Lambert, food & wine writer

    What is a vegan-friendly wine in the first place?

    Animal products derived from milk, eggs, fish as well as gelatine are used in a part of the winemaking process to fine and clarify the wine before bottling. Wines that are fined with bentonite (a type of clay) are vegan-friendly as are wines that are unfined and unfiltered (unless they’re biodynamic wines, as animal bones are used in compost mixtures of the vineyards).

    Springfield Life from Stone 2018, R105 (cellar door)

    All of Springfield Estate’s wines are vegan-friendly. Life from Stone is named for the rocky soils in which it is grown. This sauvignon blanc is famed for its flinty, mineral character with vibrant grapefruit and citrus characteristics and creamy, leesy undertones.

    Pair with: Marinated baby marrow, broad bean and walnut salad with lime and olive dressing

    WIN: Springfield Estate is a family farm in Robertson, run by ninth-generation descendants of the French Huguenots. Their highly regarded wine range is all vegan-friendly and unfiltered. Win a three-pack—Springfield Life from Stone 2018, Special Cuvee 2018 & Miss Lucy 2018—to enjoy with friends over a delicious vegan meal.  The prize is valued at: R319. To enter, simply complete the entry form below. Terms and conditions apply. Competition ends 30 November 2018.

    Warwick The First Lady Unoaked Chardonnay 2018, R80

    Made in a made a lean style with distinctive minerality, this wine is all sunshiny citrus. The nose draws you in with its attractive white blossom aromatics, and deepens to sweet-and-sour pineapple and lemon and lime against a subtly textured palate.

    Pair with: Vegan chilli with sweet potato

    Delheim Sauvignon Blanc 2018, R79

    Delheim has used bentonite as well as a plant-derived protein in the winemaking process of this wine. Lemony-green in colour find aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and gooseberry on the nose. The palate continues with the tropical fruit theme, tinged with a lime acidity.

    Pair with: Bejewelled and colour-blocked celebration salad

    Fairview Cinsaut 2017, R111

    Made from 30-year-old unirrigated bushvine on the upper slopes of Paarl Mountain. The grapes were handpicked, of which 20% were whole bunch fermented in open-top French oak fermenters. Red fruits come to the fore redolent of summer strawberries and raspberries tinged with black pepper spice. Super fresh with a juicy acidity and a subtle oak influence.

    Pair with: Vegan chickpea and spinach burgers with red onion chutney

    Stellar Organics ‘The River’s End’ Chenin Blanc 2017, R185

    Not only are all the wines from this winery organic as well as FairTrade accredited, but they’re vegan too! They have a wide variety of styles and price points to choose from, but for something extra special try this chenin blanc from the Koekenaap wine region. A honeyed nose of white pears and apple blossom evolves onto a well-rounded, creamy palate of pears, honeydew melon and orange citrus.

    Pair with: Vegan potjie

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    Imka Webb
    Author

    Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine.  www.imkawebb.com