Head-turning Autumnal vegan wines recommended, by our very own Wine Deva, Tori Hayes #Chester Food and Drink Month
Briony Wilson
21st September 2021
You would be forgiven for thinking that all wine would be vegan, but you would be wrong.
Traditional fining processes include the use of several animal-based products which aren’t actually added to the wine (just used in the clarifying process), but nevertheless, unacceptable to vegans. Even for a determined meat-eater, it doesn’t do to dwell on exactly what these products are. Therefore, as we look forward to the Autumn, we dwell instead on some magnificent vegan wines!
I love wine, and I happily drink plenty, but I relish the advice of true experts in the field, so let’s pop by two of the city’s best wine shops – White Fox Wines on Sealand and Vinological in Chester Market (plus their sister business Vin santo on Watergate Street). They have both fully embraced the importance of supporting organic and vegan wines from sustainable vineyards. White Fox Wines specialises in Italian and Spanish wines, and Vinological’s entire range of fabulous wines from around the world, will, by the end of this year, be 100% organic and vegan.
As the weather turns colder, we turn to warming foods like rich plates of Italian pasta, which need a gorgeous Italian red wine alongside. White Fox Wines recommends one fabulous Italian red to do the job. Primitivo Puglia Piedalto 2020 is elegant, fruity, and intense, with a good long finish. For homemade Autumnal soups and beautiful root vegetable stews, their North Italian favourite Re del Bosco (King of the Woods!), a light and most elegant Pinot Nero, is the perfect partner.
Both amazing, in-store right now, and drinking beautifully!
Marcher Court, Sealand Road, Chester, CH1 6BS, 01244 851 522, whitefoxwines.co.uk , [email protected]
Spanish Reds have always been my Autumn favourite (my dad’s influence) and so I absolutely MUST recommend the fantastic Rioja Crianza Seleccion, 2013 from White Fox. It is all well-rounded red fruit, with hints of balsamic on the palate and I cannot pop by White Fox without picking up (at least) one bottle.
Autumnal reds should be big and bold, so stopping by Vinological, I have to start with Ge, the flagship wine from Emiliana Orgánico (a 100% organic, sustainable winery). This blend of Carmenere, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon smells like rich black fruits, truffle and spice. A real foodie wine, and one to be shared over a delicious autumnal feast.
If you prefer something lighter, Novas’ Gran Reserva is one of my favourites. This is super-smooth and fruity, with black curranty, strawberry goodness followed by a hint of chocolate. A gorgeous wine for slurping while watching the leaves turn – no need to pair this one!
And finally (I know some people just prefer white to red, and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out), the ‘Novas’ Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Fumé from Vinological is a complex and rather weighty Sauvignon. I love this because 
it is different from the usual ‘Summer sauvignon’. It has grapefruit and tropical flavours but with a whisp of smokiness from the French oak barrels, which brings us firmly into Autumn.
Chester Market – [email protected]
21 Watergate Street, Chester, 01244 310 455, vinsantochester.co.uk
I hope you enjoy my advice, but I take my lead from the expert wine knowledge of both White Fox Wines and Vinological. Without them, I am nothing – and very, very thirsty! I thoroughly recommend you make a visit to pick their brains for your next winning wine purchase.
Pop and Pour with love,
The Wine Deva xx
VEGAN CHESTER is just one of the campaigns featured as part of Chester Food and Drink month, which is organised in conjunction with We Love Good Times and kindly sponsored by The Townhouse Secret Garden, QBunk and Destination Chester. For more information about the sponsors and the Chester Food and Drink Month 2021, please head to