When you are the type of person who attempts to be an educated consumer, the world of wine poses a challenging hurdle. The amounts of history and information surrounding wine are extremely complex, with hundreds and thousands of different producers and grape varietals to choose from- growing regions, climates, the list goes on.  

I am not going to attempt to sort through this information in such a short article. What I am going to help you understand is a bit more easily defined- although still wrought with politics and controversy. I will try to keep it as simple as possible.

Is All Wine Created The Same

Herein lies the problem. All wine is not created equally. When you are meticulously trying to put the cleanest foods in your body, you should also do so when choosing a wine. Grapes are an agricultural product that can be laden with pesticides, and farmed in a manner that is damaging to the environment. Fortunately many wineries are getting on board with the idea that how they manage their vineyard can actually be a contribution to our ecosystem, which is why supporting smaller producers is a great idea- it helps contribute to the diversification of wines instead of supporting mass produced equals. (Mondovino great film on this subject). The differences and the quirks in wines are what make them intriguing, appealing and exciting – a good thing.

A wine should represent the climate, vineyard, and year it is grown in- making each bottle unique. When you support environmentally friendly wine production, you come closer to supporting quality and diversity. What do all the labels mean and how do you know?

First of all, as mentioned in the previous article, all wine is raw. Wine is made from pressing the juice out of grapes and allowing that juice to ferment with strains of yeast. The yeast eats the sugar and converts it to alcohol and CO2 yes, carbon dioxide. In most cases the carbon dioxide is released, but in the case of sparkling wine, it is trapped in the bottle and that is where the bubbles come from- Voila! Champagne, but that is a different story.

If all wine is only fermented grape juice, what is vegetarian/vegan wine?  Aren’t all wines by definition vegan or vegetarian? The answer is no, they are not. To remove the yeasts and particles from wines they are filtered. Most often in the filtration process a small amount of animal products are used from a variety of sources; gelatin, isinglass (fish bones), casein and egg whites are all examples of products that are used. Although it is a very small amount, if you are strictly vegan, you may want to pay attention to this fact.  However, even if a wine is not labeled vegan or vegetarian- if a wine is labeled unfiltered, you have a good chance that it is animal free.  Like with all agricultural products, there are basically three levels certifying the “green” factor of a wine.

Sustainable

As to whether a wine is sustainable might require you to do a little research to ascertain. Because of the rigorous process to become certified organic, many small-scale wineries do not have the money and/or resources to obtain this classification. Many small wineries farm in a way that is environmentally friendly and their owners are proud and happy to share this information with you. For this reason it makes sense to spend a few extra dollars to support a smaller venture that might not have corporate financial backing, but which embraces an eco friendly ethic..

Organic

Just like with food, organic wine is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and steer away from using most conventional pesticides; petroleum-based fertilizers or harmful fertilizers; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. In order for a product to be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier must inspect the vineyard to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. This process is expensive and time consuming.

Biodynamic

Biodynamic farming is perhaps the most rigorous and intense method of farming. As applied to wine, biodynamic farming principles treat the vineyard as a whole organism rather than just concern for one singular crop. Biodynamic regards the soil as the life of the vineyard (which it is) and treats it with detailed focus and attention; crop rotation, green manure, cover crops, wind protection etc. Thus biodynamic vineyards attain the most environmentally sound forms of production, and yield a very high quality crop. Traditionally more popular in France and Germany, biodynamic farmings has started to gain recognition and popularity in the US.

I hope that this article helps you understand a bit more about what you are drinking. Wine can be an important part of enjoying life and food. Wine can calm your spirit and bring you in the moment to sit, relax and savor a meal with friends and family- raw, vegan, vegetarian or otherwise. Choosing wine should be as pleasurable as enjoying it, not an intimidating decision that makes you question yourself or your choices.

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What do you get when you bring together some of the classic flavors of Italian cuisine, uncooked, and add a little vino to the mix? You get this wonderful raw vegan version of lasagna created especially for Raw Epicurean readers by Eliza Frey from Frey Organic Wines. What an honor and thank you Eliza!

Eliza has this to say, “This “lasagna” is made with all raw ingredients, a perfect summertime entrée that is a great way to showcase some fresh garden veggies. The recipe seems long, but is quite simple. You will need a potato peeler and a food processor. Remember to use fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible.”

I love the idea of using organic vegan wine in a raw vegan recipe. Eliza used Frey’s Organic Vegan Syrah to make the marinara sauce, and she took the opportunity to showcase bay leaf, this months herb of the month, to make bay laurel infused oil olive. Also I like how they showcase a step-by-step pictorial on how to create and plate this recipe. Just beautiful!

Have you ever tried organic vegan wine? Well, I have great news.
I am thrilled to host our first organic wine giveaway! Frey Organic Wine generously offers three [3] Raw Epicurean readers one [1] bottle of Frey Organic Wine! Visit Frey’s Organic Wine shop and browse their selection.

I wish we could ship everywhere but please keep in mind this giveaway is only open to permanent legal residents of the U.S. who are 21 years of age or older as of the date of their entry. This giveaway begins September 19, 2009, 12:01 AM PST, and ends September 30, 2009, 11:59 PM PST. Please read the rules, regulations, and disclaimer before participating. To participate simply leave a comment below indicating that you would like to enter the drawing.

Oh and one more thing, if you sign up for their quarterly e-newsletter, you will received a $5.00 coupon to use when you shop online at Frey’s Organic Wine shop.

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Raw Lasagna with Bay Laurel Olive Oil and Red Wine “Syraw” Marinara

The lasagna can be prepared in a casserole dish up to 24 hours in advance, or can be layered to individual plates and served, as shown in the photos. Either way it is a healthy, hearty dish that will please seasoned raw foodies and novices alike. Enjoy!

Make your infused olive oil 1-2 days before preparing the lasagna for maxium extraction. Finely chop or tear the bay leaves and put them into the oil, cover and let stand at room temperature, strain before using.

The zucchini and chard “noodles” can be prepared up to 12 hours in advance, they are tastier if allowed to wilt for a while.

Cut each chard leaf into 2-4 pieces, depending on the size of the leaf. Using a rolling pin or glass jar, firmly roll the leaves until you see that they are bruised (you can also use a mallet or the base of a glass and pound them until bruised). Bruising the leaves softens the tissue and makes them tastier and easier to digest. After they are well-bruised, place them on a plate, sprinkling a little vinegar between each leaf, set aside.

With a potato peeler, “slice” the zucchini across its mid section. The result is a wide and flexible “noodle”.

With a serrated knife, slice the heirloom tomato into several thin rounds.

Combine ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Nutritional yeast can be added if the sauce is too liquid.

Combine ingredients in a food processor and blend. Add a little water, wine, or oil if the mixture is too dry.

Combine ingredients in a food processor and blend. Add a little water, wine, or oil if the mixture is too dry.

Layer the noodles, marinara, olive paste and cheese, drizzling the infused olive oil between layers. Garnish with fresh basil and serve. Enjoy!

Note: Numerous variations of this recipe are possible. Some like to make a mushroom or walnut pate instead of the olive paste. Carrots also make nice noodles if sliced with the peeler. You can use any herbs or make it spicier by adding more pepper or garlic. With fresh organic ingredients, you can’t go wrong!

Makes one 8×12 casserole or six pieces of Lasagna

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Image courtesy of Frey Organic Wine; article written by contributing wine expert Eliza Frey

Frey Organic Wine is Raw and Vegan!

Raw, vegan wine can be a joyful part of a living, raw food diet. People who choose a raw, plant-based diet may choose not to consume alcohol, but the two can actually be mutually inclusive. Raw, fermented beverages provide humans with living cultures that introduce beneficial micro flora and fauna into our bodies. Many fine wines are raw, produced by natural fermentations during which yeast convert the sugars in raw juice into alcohol. Wines made from high quality fruit free of mildew and disease does not require pasteurization and fall into the category of healthful, fermented beverages. Frey organic wines are never subjected to pasteurization or heating, and our estate wines are crafted during wild, spontaneous fermentations, with no added yeast or bacteria.

In the raw, grapes are an excellent source of potassium, and are also high in phosphorous, calcium and magnesium. Grapes are also rich in vitamins A and C. As to wine, studies have identified a relationship between moderate alcohol consumption, especially of wine, and a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, cancer and stroke. Both wine and grapes are also great sources of antioxidants, notably resveratrol, which tend to be more prevalent in red wine than white.

Raw Wine, Spontaneous Fermentations and Terroir

Terroir is a French term used to describe special characteristics in wine that are created due to the geography of where the grapes are grown. The composition of vineyard soils, the mineral content of the waters on a piece of property and the exposure of a given vineyards will all influence the flavor, or terroir. Raw wine produced by spontaneous, or native, fermentation is very true to the place where it was produced. These wines are essentially grape juice that is “processed” by the native yeasts that live on the fruit or in the air where the wine is made. There are many strains of yeast and each produces different flavor components in wine. The exciting thing about native, raw fermentations is that each location and year will produce a unique wine that is a thumbprint of the local climactic conditions and yeast population.

Vegan Wine

While wine is obviously vegetarian, not all wine is vegan. Animal products enter the production stream of wine in the form of fining agents. Fining is a process of clarification in winemaking. A substance is introduced into a wine and as it floats through the liquid it binds with proteins and then settles to the bottom of a tank or barrel. Common fining agents include bentonite clay (the vegan option), egg whites, isinglass (made from fish) or gluten based materials. Due to allergy concerns and vegan and vegetarian consumers, Frey Organic Wine and many other wineries have committed to using only bentonite clay.

If you are a raw food lover who is cautious about your dietary consumption, please consider trying a raw, vegan and organic wine! Many choices exist, and the selection is constantly growing. For more information about vegan wine, organic grape growing and raw wine, visit our website at www.freywine.com. To your health!

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