Wine and a Gluten-Free Diet
As gluten-free diets become more popular, more people are curious about how wine fits in. Whether you’re gluten-sensitive or just prefer avoiding gluten, there’s good news for wine lovers. Most wines are naturally gluten-free, meaning you can keep wine on your menu even with dietary restrictions.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley that gives dough its stretch. Alcohols like bourbon, scotch, rum, tequila, and gin are generally gluten-free since they don’t contain grains with gluten.
The best part? Wine—including reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling varieties—is also gluten-free. So feel free to pour a glass and enjoy without worry.
What to Watch Out For
In some cases, winemakers may use wheat-based products in barrels during aging or add artificial flavors in dessert wines. These additives can occasionally introduce trace amounts of gluten. However, the gluten content in these wines is usually low (often under 20 parts per million), which doesn’t impact most gluten-sensitive people. Those with Celiac Disease may still want to double-check with the winery.
Beer Mostly is Not Gluten-Free
In general, the only alcohol that presents a hard and fast “no” for those on a gluten-free diet is beer. With the exception of hard ciders, which are made from fruits and are naturally gluten-free, beers are made from barley- which contains large amounts of gluten. This applies to all beers, including lagers, light beers, craft beers, pale ales, IPAs and stouts.
There is a bit of good news for beer drinkers, though. As the gluten-free fad soars, more and more breweries are beginning to filter their final products in order to remove gluten from beer. In these instances, the beer will be specifically labeled “Gluten Free” and is required to have no more than 20 parts per million of gluten. Here’s a list of nine beers that are gluten-free and still satisfying.
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