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Woman on Wine!

By Amy Reiley

Wine can be an issue for strict vegetarians. Fining and filtering, among the last steps most winemakers employ in the process of transforming grape juice into an aphrodisiac nectar,  often employs animal products, including egg whites. But wines made without animal products rarely boast their vegan status, so what’s a good herbivore to do?

ANDREW MURRAY
2002 Estate Viognier
A classic, boutique Californian wine, Andrew Murray’s Viognier boast the spicy and floral characters typical of Viognier with a bonus of voluptuous body from partial barrel fermentation. $$

CAIN
2000 Concept, Napa Valley
More generous and juicy than Cain 5, the winery’s signature wine, Concept celebrates the distinct characteristics of Napa Valley grapes. At once earthy and packed with dark cherry/berry flavors, it lingers on the tongue with dusty tannins and a little bit of spice. $$$

CEAGO
2002 Sauvignon Blanc
From the family who founded Fetzer Winery, this wine is not only vegetarian friendly, it’s organic. A ripe and fairly full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc, its flavors are a refreshing blend of stone fruit and lemons. $$

CEJA VINEYARDS
2002 Vino de Casa, Carneros
A delicious little summertime wine, Ceja’s white blend is floral and crisp, a little bit sweet and just a touch tart but best of all, its price point is as approachable as its flavors. $$

D. R. STEPHENS ESTATE
2000 Moose Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
A pretty wine by California Cabernet standards, it offers aromas and flavors of berry fruit, cloves and something distinctly floral. Well made and elegant, it is a refined and beautiful wine. $$$$

DUNAH 
2002 Sangiocomo Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
This is Sonoma Coast at its finest. Dark, rich and earthy yet made approachable by a balance of black cherry fruit, it is a that showcases both fine fruit and winemaking skill. $$$

FETZER
2002 Sundial Pinot Grigio, California
Fun and flirty, Fetzer’s light, crisp Pinot Grigio prove that being vegan can also be affordable. $

KELLER ESTATE
2003 Oro De Plata Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
Bright, crisp the Oro de Plata is an almost playful rendition of Chardonnay. Its flavors of pples, lemons and a little quince bring to mind a great autumn fruit salad. $$

KOEHLER WINERY
2002 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara County
Bright and juicy with passion fruit aromas and a lingering taste of lemongrass, this is the perfect summer antidote to heavy Chardonnays. $$

MUMM CUVEE NAPA
NV Rose, Napa Valley
A rich bottle of bubbly with berry aromas and flavors, Mumm proves that vegans aren’t missing out on a thing. $

$ under 15USD

$$ 15-25USD

$$$ 25-50USD

$$$$ over 50USD

Woman on Wine is the syndicated wine column originally appearing in wine spokeswoman Amy Reiley’s monthly enewsletter, Life of Reiley, www.lifeofreiley.com  published by The Odyssey Lifestyle.

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