Supermarkets work with wine makers to encourage use of non-animal fining agents as veganism becomes ever more popular

The vegan food revolution that is sweeping the UK is heading for supermarket wine aisles and specialist retailers in the coming weeks. As support for the movement gathers momentum during so-called “veganuary”, the Co-op is expanding its vegan wine range to 100 products by the end of the year, with eight due to launch next month.

The Co-op has been working with winemakers across the world to develop a wider range of vegan-friendly “fining” agents used to filter wines. The agents are used at the end of the wine-making process to remove yeast traces and bacteria and improve clarity and flavour in the final tipple. But they have traditionally been made mostly from animal products such as egg whites, casein (found in cows’ milk), gelatin or isinglass, extracted from the swim bladders of fish – all a clear no-no for vegans.

Now a new generation of animal-free agents made from peas and even potatoes are finding popularity, and favoured by the Co-op along with other vegan-friendly options including carbon and clay-based agents.

Simon Cairns, category trading manager for Co-op wines, said: “We are anticipating vegan wines to pick up momentum throughout 2018, so our range will be expanding throughout the year and we will continue to challenge suppliers to make wines vegan where they can without affecting the attributes of the liquid.”

In October last year Majestic Wines – which stocks 32 vegan-friendly wines on a dedicated online section – relaunched its website, price tickets and labelling, adding vegan and vegetarian symbols.

According to the Vegan Society there are now 542,000 vegans in the UK – more than three times as many as a decade ago – and nearly half of those are aged between 15 and 34. Research by Mintel links the rise of veganism and vegetarianism to the growing use of social media that teaches young people about the benefits of alternative diets and lifestyle.

In a further sign that veganism is now considered mainstream, on Monday the UK’s largest retailer, Tesco, will launch a new range of meals, wraps and salads in 600 stores nationwide. The Wicked Kitchen has been developed by the American chef and self-proclaimed “plant pusher” Derek Sarno – the former global executive chef for Whole Foods Market – hired last year by Tesco as its “director of plant-based innovation”. Rivals Sainsbury’s and Aldi have also just released new vegan ranges.