Figuring out whether Barefoot wine is safe for vegans to consume can be a bit difficult.
Wines are often fined and clarified using animal products such as isinglass, gelatin, and casein, but some companies are now using vegan-friendly fining agents.
To make sure that you are only eating food and drinking beverages that align with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Barefoot wine.
Here’s what I found out.
Is Barefoot Wine Vegan?
Unfortunately no. Barefoot wines are not vegan wines.
Barefoot produces wines with the mission of bringing wine enthusiasts “approachable, flavorful wines that pair well with life.” The company produces many varieties of wines, including reds, whites, and sparkling wines.
And while this is all great, their wines are unfortunately not vegan.
Barefoot is not vegan because they use animal-derived fining agents, to remove impurities from the wine. They use gelatin, animal, or fish products, as well as milk and eggs to clarify and fine their wines.
This means that Barefoot wine is not suitable for vegans.
Is Barefoot Wine Cruelty Free?
Yes! Barefoot wine is a cruelty-free product.
The Barefoot company does not test its products on animals at any stage of production, nor do they use ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.
Barefoot wines may be processed with animal-derived fining agents and ingredients on their wines, but no animals are exploited or harmed in the making of their products.
What Is a “Fining Agent”?
A fining agent is a substance that is added to wine to remove impurities. Fining agents can be made from animal, vegetable, or mineral products. The most common fining agents used in wines are gelatin, egg whites, bentonite clay, carbon, and casein (a milk protein). Vegan wines are made without the use of any animal-based fining agents.
What Is Barefoot Wine Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Barefoot wine:
- Grape wine (moscato, pinot grigio, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, rosé, riesling, pinot noir, merlot, zinfandel)
- Vanilla
- Honey
- Chocolate
- Carbonated water
- Cane sugar
- Natural flavors
- Potassium citrate
- Citric acid
- Potassium sorbate
- Sulfiting agents
- Fruit flavors (cherry, peach, raspberry, blackberry, green apple, lemon, orange, apricot, pomegranate, strawberry, pear, nectarine, pineapple, watermelon, kiwi, honeydew melon, blueberry, tangerine, cranberry, boysenberry, currant)
Let’s break down each ingredient of Barefoot wine:
Grape wine
Grape wine is grape juice that has been fermented with yeast. This is the main ingredient in all wines. Many types of grapes can be used to make wine, such as moscato, pinot grigio, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and zinfandel.
Vanilla
Vanilla is a flavoring agent made from the vanilla bean. Vanilla beans are the seed pods of the vanilla orchid. Vanilla is used to flavor many food and beverage products, including wine. Vanilla is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Honey
Honey is a sweetener made by bees from the nectar of flowers. Honey is used to sweeten many food and beverage products, including wine. While honey is not vegan, it is vegetarian.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a flavoring agent made from the cacao bean. Cacao beans are the seeds of the cacao tree. Chocolate is used to flavor many food and beverage products, including wine. Chocolate is a vegan-friendly ingredient if it does not contain milk.
Carbonated water
Carbonated water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas. Carbonated water is used to make soft drinks and fizzy alcoholic beverages, including sparkling wine. Carbonated water is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Cane sugar
Cane sugar is a type of sugar made from the juice of sugar cane. Cane sugar is used to sweeten many food and beverage products, including wine. Cane sugar is plant based, but most sugars are filtered with animal bone char. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it’s probably not vegan.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are flavoring agents made from natural sources, such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and even meat or fish. Natural flavors are used to flavor many food and beverage products, including wine. Given the sweet flavors and nature of the product, it’s safe to assume that the natural flavors in Barefoot wines are vegan.
Potassium citrate
Potassium citrate is a type of salt that is used as a preservative. Potassium citrate is plant based and vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of acid that is found in citrus fruits. Citric acid is used to add tartness and flavor to many food and beverage products, including wine. Citric acid is plant based and vegan.
Potassium sorbate
Potassium sorbate is a type of salt that is used as a preservative. Potassium sorbate is a synthetic product and vegan.
Sulfiting agents
Sulfiting agents are used as preservatives in many food and beverage products, including wine. Sulfiting agents are vegan.
Fruit flavors
Fruit flavors are used to flavor many food and beverage products, including wine. Fruit flavors that Barefoot wine uses on their products are cherry, peach, raspberry, blackberry, green apple, lemon, orange, apricot, pomegranate, strawberry, pear, nectarine, pineapple, watermelon, kiwi, honeydew melon, blueberry, tangerine, cranberry, boysenberry, and currant.
Why Isn’t Barefoot Wine Vegan?
Barefoot wine isn’t vegan because it uses traditional fining agents like gelatin, egg whites, and casein to clarify and stabilize the wine. These ingredients are all animal products.
While many other wine brands have switched to vegan-friendly fining agents, Barefoot has not. This makes their wines not suitable for vegans.
If you’re looking for delicious vegan wine, there are still many options available on the market. Look for wines that are labeled as “vegan” or those that use vegan-friendly fining agents, such as bentonite clay, carbon, or vegetable proteins. Granted, it’s not as simple as looking for a “vegan” label on the wine bottle. However, with a little research, you can find vegan-friendly wines
Is Barefoot Cellars Pinot Grigio Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Pinot Grigio is not vegan. This white wine is clarified with animal-derived fining agents.
This wine is not a vegan wine.
Is Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is not vegan. This red wine is clarified with animal-derived fining agents.
This cabernet sauvignon is not a vegan wine.
Is Barefoot Cellars Moscato Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Moscato is not vegan. This white wine uses animal-derived fining agents to clarify the wine.
This wine is not a vegan wine.
Is Barefoot Cellars Riesling Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Riesling is not vegan. This white wine is clarified with animal-derived fining agents.
This wine is not a vegan wine.
Is Barefoot Cellars Chardonnay Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Chardonnay is not vegan. This white wine contains honey and also uses animal-derived fining agents to clarify the wine.
This wine is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Sauvignon Blanc is not vegan. This white wine is clarified with animal-derived fining agents.
This Sauvignon Blanc is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Barefoot Cellars Merlot Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Merlot is not vegan. This red wine is clarified with animal-derived fining agents.
This wine is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Barefoot Cellar Bright and Breezy Rosé Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Bright and Breezy Rosé is not vegan. This pink wine is clarified with animal-derived fining agents.
This wine is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Barefoot Cellars Pinot Noir Vegan?
No. Barefoot Cellars Pinot Noir is not vegan. This red wine is clarified with animal-derived fining agents.
This wine is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Barefoot Wine
Craving for a glass of rich cabernet sauvignon or a refreshing dry rosé, but you’re vegan? Don’t worry, there are still many delicious vegan alcohol products on the market for you to enjoy. Here are some of my favorite vegan wines:
- Frey Vineyards 2020 Organic Malbec
- Lumot Pinot Gris Rudolfo
- Red Truck Cabernet Sauvignon
- Kris Pinot Grigio
- Bogle Chardonnay
These are just some of the many delicious vegan red wine options and vegan white wine options that you can enjoy. So, next time you’re in the mood for a glass of wine, check out one of these vegan wines instead.
Final Words
So there you have it! Barefoot wines are not vegan because they use animal products like gelatin, casein, milk, or egg products to clarify their wine. This simply isn’t suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.
Luckily, there are still many delicious vegan wine brands available on the market. Whether you’re in the market for red, white, or sparkling wines, you’re sure to find a vegan-friendly option that suits your taste. Cheers!