The type of fining agent used in creating wine will determine whether it is awarded Vegan-Friendly status (no animal-derivative agent is used i.e. the winemaker may use Bentonite Clay) or Vegetarian-Friendly status (the use of egg white or casein - a milk product) or neither (where gelatin, isinglass or chitosan may be used).
Here is our offering of Vegan and Vegetarian approved wines - you might be surprised to see some of your old favourites here!
2 products
2023 Nicosia Frappato Bio
Regular price £14.99A really pretty and perfumed example of the Frappato grape from south-eastern Sicily.
Tasting Notes
This organic red has delicious floral and red berry characters and is surprisingly fresh and delicate given the hot climate.
Nose
Delicate and lightly floral aromas of strawberry, redcurrant and wild berries, with hints of aromatic herbs.
Palate
The palate has vibrant red berry characters balancing fresh acidity.
Producer
Is there a more dynamic place to make wine in Italy than on Mount Etna in Sicily? Cantine Nicosia is based at the foot of Etna, on the east coast of Sicily, where Carmelo Nicosia, along with his sons Franceso and Graziano (5th generation), have developed their family business into one of the area's most important wine producers. Their Trecastagni winery is where tradition meets ultra-modern technology.
Trecastagni, at the base of one of the extinguished craters dotting Mount Etna and at an altitude of around 700m, is home to the ancient vineyards of Monte Gorna, with their distinctive lava terraces. The vineyards have been completely restructured and replanted, focusing on the native varieties used for Etna DOC wines: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for the red, and Catarratto and Carricante for the whites. The extraordinary wealth of minerals found in Etna's volcanic soils can be credited with the very rich flavour and unique character of the wines produced here.
Just a few miles from the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula is the lively agricultural center of Vittoria and the Contrada Bonincontro district - home to the large and impeccably groomed Cerasuolo di Vittoria vineyards planted exclusively with Nero d’Avola, Frappato and Syrah.
Production Method
Frappato grapes are grown on sandy soil situated at approximately 200m above sea level. Grapes are hand-picked in September. The grapes undergo maceration and fermentation for approximately 10-15 at a controlled temperature of between 22-24°C. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats and 2 months in the bottle.
A Note on Sustainability
A proportion of Cantine Nicosia’s vineyards are certified organic by SIDEL, and its wines are certified as vegan by the Istituto Certificazione Etica e Ambiente.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Frappato |
| Country | Italy |
|
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable, Organic
|
| Food Matches | Pairs very well with vegetable tempura, couscous, tabbouleh and Caprese salad. Or enjoy with pasta alla Norma - a classic Sicilian pasta dish with aubergine, ricotta, basil and tomatoes. |
| Origin | Sicilia |
| Appellation | Terre Siciliane IGT |
2025 Santa Tresa Rina Russa Frappato Terre Siciliane IGP
Regular price £13.99If Frappato is Vittoria’s signature grape, then Rina Russa di Santa Tresa perfectly captures its essence. “Rina Russa” means “red sand” in Sicilian dialect. Rina Russa features the black figures found on ancient Greek vases, a tribute to the meeting of peoples and cultures.
Tasting Notes
Rina Russa genuinely has its own unique style, as the Frappato grapes come from ancient clones developed on our own estate. It has a very beautiful light cherry colour, with a fresh and vibrant bouquet, reminiscent of wild strawberries and a beautifully balanced palate, with silky smooth fruit, a real freshness running through it and a surprisingly long finish.
Harvest
The grapes are carefully picked by hand towards the end of September and are carefully put into small containers of 15kg.
Vinification
The grapes are chilled overnight in a refrigerated room to lower the temperature to 6-8°C, in order to preserve the particular qualities of the Frappato. After a very gentle destemming and crushing the grapes are fermented at a temperature of about 18-22°C for 10-12 days. The wine is separated from the skins and malolactic fermentation is allowed to take place naturally.
Ageing
After the malolactic fermentation is completed, the wine is kept on its fine lees for about 4-6 months in stainless steel tanks, with regular stirring, before bottling.
Specifications
| Year | 2025 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Frappato |
| Country | Italy |
| Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | awaiting info |
| Food Matches |
Rina Russa is a red wine in a class of its own and with its extraordinary fruitiness, it is a red wine which tradition dictates should be drunk with fish. Among those perfect matches are several traditional dishes from typical of Ragusa – tuna, sword fish, blue fish. A really versatile red, best served at room temperature (18-20°C) with cured meats and cheeses, but with fish, serve at around 14-16°C. |
| Origin |
Sicily, Italy |
