Finings
What are wine fining agents?
Wine fining agents, or finings, help remove selected compounds to improve clarity, stability, or texture. Different agents do different jobs.
Common fining agents and their uses
| Agent | Origin | Typical purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Bentonite | Mineral clay | Remove haze-forming proteins |
| Egg white | Animal: egg protein | Soften astringency in red wine |
| Casein | Animal: milk protein | Reduce browning and some bitter phenolics |
| Isinglass | Animal: fish collagen | Clarify wine |
| PVPP | Synthetic polymer | Reduce selected phenolics associated with bitterness or browning |
Are wine fining agents vegan?
Some are animal-derived; others are not. Bentonite and PVPP offer non-animal options, but they are not interchangeable substitutes for every job. Confirm the specific preparation and the finished wine’s vegan status with the producer; a clear appearance proves neither.
The fining process uses trials to choose an appropriate treatment. Excessive fining can remove desirable character.