Adhering to a strict gluten-free diet can be stressful and time-consuming. Whether driven by celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the ability to read labels is an indispensable skill. But although most food products are required to include detailed nutritional and ingredient information on their labels, many alcoholic beverages are a different story.
Sure, we know beer—famously a cereal grain-based beverage—is off the table for gluten-free folk, but what about wine? We asked industry experts if wine is gluten-free, so those with dietary restrictions can imbibe worry-free.
Red and white wine is made predominantly from grapes, which are naturally gluten-free. The fermentation process also does not include any gluten. After fermentation, a process called fining, in which substances are added to the wine to help clarify it, could potentially cause gluten to enter the bottle.
How to Choose a Gluten-Free Wine
If you’re newly diagnosed and want to be absolutely certain that your wine didn’t come in contact with oak barrels, choose varieties aged in stainless-steel vats. Additionally, avoid flavored wine cocktails which can include barley malt (always a source of gluten) and added flavors that may contain gluten.
And, if you want to support wineries going above and beyond to provide a full gluten-free experience, check out these spots. In addition to offering beyond-the-shadow-of-a-doubt gluten-free wine, these operations also provide gluten-free dining experiences.
Is Wine Gluten-Free?
According to the FDA, in order for a product to be considered gluten-free, it must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. Products that meet this legal standard contain less than 0.002% gluten.
So, does wine meet these standards? Tricia Thompson, M.S., R.D., is the founder of the Gluten Free Watchdog, an organization that tests consumer products through Bia Diagnostics, a food testing lab in Vermont, to determine levels of potential gluten. Her answer? Yes, but with a caveat. (More on that below.) Wine has always been considered naturally gluten-free, she points out, since the ingredients used in fermentation (grapes and yeast) are naturally gluten-free ingredients.
Drinking as a Celiac
FAQ
Does white wine contain gluten?
What wines are not gluten-free?
What alcohol can celiacs drink?
What drinks should celiacs avoid?
Can you drink wine if you have celiac disease?
Jane Anderson is a medical journalist and an expert in celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and the gluten-free diet. Most wine is gluten-free, but there are exceptions, especially if you have celiac disease and are sensitive to trace gluten. Learn which wines are safest.
Can you drink white wine when you have heartburn?
Any form of alcohol can irritate the lining of the stomach and aggravate symptoms such as heartburn, so it should be avoided if possible.
Can celiacs drink alcohol?
Examples include Rum, Sake, Soju, Tequila, Potato Vodka, Corn Vodka, Sorghum Whiskey, Wines, Beers brewed without wheat, rye, or barley. Again, many people with celiac disease easily tolerate whiskey, gin, grain-based vodkas, and other alcohols distilled from grains, with no complaints. Others claim sensitivity to these products.
Can you drink whiskey if you have celiac disease?
Also, some people with celiac disease claim to be sensitive to distilled alcohols made with grains, while many tolerate them just fine. The solution is to know your alcohol. Beware of anything that seems to provoke an adverse reaction. Trust your gut and your own judgement. If you prefer whiskey and tolerate it well, then carry on.