The Perfect Pairing: The 7 Best Gluten Free Wines, Rounded Up
Sometimes drinking wine may not feel very secure for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Fortunately today, you can find excellent gluten free wines you can enjoy. We’re here to bring you 7 of our favorite gluten free wines. These examples are just as free from gluten as they are excellent companions for dining and conversations. Let’s start with how winemakers can produce a fully gluten free wine.
Which Wines Are Gluten Free?
As we know, wine is a naturally gluten free beverage that millions of people enjoy every day. So, it seems somewhat silly that so many winemakers are proudly displaying the words “gluten free” on their bottles, right? Actually, more wines than you would think have come into contact with glutenous materials at some point during their production or packaging. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities should continue to pay attention to gluten free labeling on wines and purchase accordingly.
How Is Gluten Used In Wine Making?
At various points, winemakers may use gluten to assist during two different processes of winemaking. Gluten is sometimes used as part of the fining process and later in the aging process. Let’s cover why winemakers would consider using gluten during these two important steps of winemaking.
The fining process is also known as the clarification process in winemaking. As the grapes and their juice ferments into wine, it’s a process that needs to be stopped at a precise time in order to keep the wine from becoming sour or even rotten. Removing all of the fruit solids and fine particles from the wine is essential to end the fermentation process.
Filtering out those fine particles is much easier said than done, especially considering older winemaking technologies. One of the methods that ancient winemakers used to remove those fine particles was by adding wheat flour to wine as the fermentation process finishes. Glutenous wheat flour is quite sticky when wet and will bind to anything it touches inside a liquid. Thus, removing all the particles becomes far easier during the filtering process.
The aging process is the cornerstone to much of the value of the wine industry and the enjoyability of many of the beverages themselves. Aging adds complex and distinct flavors to individual wines, but it’s not a required step for certain wine varieties. Aging is a delicate operation as any contaminant can drastically change the flavor of a wine if left unnoticed. In order to facilitate this process, winemakers have looked to the safe haven of oak barrels to protect the precious alcoholic juice inside.
Winemakers need to seal the wine inside the oak barrels for long periods of time, known as casking. Using adhesives, especially those with a chemical base, can create a nasty flavor, so winemakers sometimes use wheat paste to seal the lids of the barrels. Although this is quite a miniscule amount of gluten, it may still contaminate the wine inside and make it unsafe for those with celiac disease.
Winemakers have noticed this issue in recent years as instances of celiac disease and gluten sensitivities have spread. Those dedicated to gluten free winemaking commit themselves to using gluten free materials during the fining and aging processes. With an already extremely low risk of gluten contaminating wines, this drops the rate to practically zero exposure. You can notice the dedication of a winemaker with the addition of a gluten free label on their products.
What Are The Best Gluten Free Wines?
Frey Biodynamic Petite Syrah 2019: Frey Vineyards is a small operation based in the Redwood Valley of Mendocino, California. They are a fully gluten free and vegan winemaking facility, pledging to never use any glutenous or animal-based products from start to finish in their wines. For wine clarification, they use a natural clay called bentonite. With the knowledge that this wine is safe for celiacs to drink, anyone can enjoy the exciting notes of pepper and forest berries. The Biodynamic Petite Syrah 2019 scored a 91 from Wine Enthusiast.
Inkarri by Proviva Estate Malbec 2019: Proviva Winery is a winemaker out of Argentina that has been providing the world with delicious South American varieties for years. They don’t use anything extra to clarify their wines or even use a fining process at all. Gluten based products never come anywhere close to this wine. This Inkarri is a gorgeous Malbec that brings out rich flavors and aromas of cherries and other bright fruits. It is going to pair with anything you can put on the grill. The Inkarri Malbec 2019 scored a 92 from Wine Enthusiast.
Koyle Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018: Koyle Family Vineyards is a winemaker in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Chile. Committing to biodynamic and organic standards, Koyle Family Vineyards also never uses gluten in the fining process or in the aging process of their wines. With deep and rich flavors, this wine is straightforward, yet developed in its flavors. You should feel secure in including this wine alongside some wonderfully cooked meats like beef, pork, or lamb. The Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 scored a 91 from Robert Packer’s Wine Advocate.
Radius Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016: Radius is a winery founded by seasoned winemaker Hal Landvoigt and is based in the Columbia Valley of Washington state. This delicious wine takes on the earthiness of the beautiful agricultural region while retaining the bright herbal notes that makes Radius’ wines so special. Radius never uses any glutenous ingredients in any processes involving their wines, ensuring a safe drinking experience for all celiacs. Critics have also taken note, with the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 scoring a 90 from Tasting Panel.
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva 2017: Badia a Coltibuono has something that every New World winery does not: over a thousand years of contribution to the art of winemaking. This has resulted in a storied level of expertise that has led to an impressive reputation around Europe and the world. Despite their traditional styles, Badia a Coltibuono doesn’t use any gluten in their winemaking. You’ll get a charming aroma from each sip and a brilliant flush of fruit flavor and color. This incredible wine scored an impressive 94 from Wine Enthusiast.
FAT bastard Chardonnay 2020: Sure, it’s a bit of a silly name, but FAT bastard Winery couldn’t be more serious about creating quality wines. They don’t use any gluten products whatsoever. Using lots of varietal grapes from Pays d’Oc, France, the winery has carved out an impressive reputation among connoisseurs, especially gluten free wine lovers. This delightful Chardonnay is as bright as the Mediterranean sun and as refreshing as late summer fruits. There are few better wines for seafood than this one. The Chardonnay 2020 scored a 90 from Tasting Panel.
La Marca Prosecco Rose 2020: From the misty hills of Northern Italy, La Marca has been producing some of our favorite bubbly wines for several decades now. As Prosecco keeps its great reputation for deliciousness, many gluten free drinkers may have shied away for fear of gluten contamination. La Marca never uses any gluten in their winemaking. For a sparkling wine that holds its own against the greats, you can find this Rose as versatile as it is enticing. The Prosecco Rose 2020 scored a 90 from James Suckling.
We hope you have enjoyed this article. Check out these wonderful wines that are safe for anyone following a gluten free diet.