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.
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.
Solterra Winery & Kitchen, Leucadia California
This winery and kitchen combo offers a largely gluten-free menu. Don’t miss the paella or the fish caught by winemaker and owner Chris Van Alyea on his skiff off the coast in San Diego, not to mention the daily happy hour.
Gluten Free Liquor: What Spirits and Wine Are Gluten Free
Which Spanish wine is gluten free?
If you enjoy Spanish wines and you’re looking for a gluten free option, try the wine produced by Bodegas Iranzo winery. This estate is located near Valencia and was one of the first wineries to produce organic wines. They use grape varietals such as Tempranillo, Bobal, and Spanish Cabernet. No sulfites are added to the red wines.
Does wine have a gluten-free label?
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) works with the FDA to regulate wine, and states that the gluten-free label can only be on a bottle of wine if it’s made with ingredients that do not contain gluten.
What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
The wine is dry (not sweet) and has a healthy level of tannin, which is why your mouth dries out when you sip it. Many people who drink Cabernet Sauvignon say they always pick up a taste of green pepper in the wine, along with tobacco, cassis, and dark fruits such as cherries, along with a hint of vanilla that comes from the wine aging in the oak.
Are wine fining agents gluten-free?
Wine fining agents such as egg whites and gelatin are inherently gluten-free. The culprit for trace gluten found in wine can often be found in the wheat paste used to seal the wooden wine casks or barrels used to age the wine.