Ahead of World Vegan Day on November 1, Sam Wylie-Harris looks at how winemakers are doing their bit.

When it comes to choosing a bottle of wine, how the juice was fine-tuned to attain its appealing colour and whether it's 100% plant-based (or not) isn't always a priority. But the good news is, opting for a glass of vegan-friendly vino is easier than you think.

With the surge in popularity for plant-based foods and many veggie dishes enhanced by a glass of wine, the vegan logo is very much in vogue - and there's been a shift in the entire wine production chain, from vineyard to bottle.

"Owing to the popularity of the diet, as well as vegan restaurants, vegan wines have also become a key trend," says Nick Jones, wine expert, Winebuyers.com. "With the growth of veganism showing no signs of slowing down, the rise of vegan wine and its availability is definitely a boozy craze that's here to stay."

And although made from grapes, not all our go-too favourite varieties are vegan. This is because some wines are produced using a process called fining.

"Fining agents, made from animal products such as gelatine or egg whites, are used to help remove tiny molecules of proteins, yeast and other organic particles in young wines, as well as making your wine clearer and taste less bitter," explains Jones.

"Vegan wines replace these animal-based finers with clay or charcoal based alternatives, and those derived from peas and potatoes get the job done too."

So where to sniff them out?

With a library of more than 700 vegan wines, you'll be spoilt for choice at Winebuyers. But with its ripeness and assurance (the producer is certified organic and biodynamic too), we love their fruity Gustavshof Dornfelder 2016, Rheinhessen, Germany (£10.35, Winebuyers.com), with its perfumed scents of morello cherries and raspberries offering bags of aromatic charm.

And thanks to the growing interest, most winemakers are labelling their wines accordingly but it's always worth checking the back of the bottle - and you don't have to stray from the supermarket shelves or have to pay a fortune for your vegan food and wine matches.

As Gyles Walker, senior wine buyer, Co-op, points out: "Co-op was the first ever retailer to list allergens and ingredients on wines and we have since rolled out clear vegan labelling across our own-brand wines. We continue to work closely with all our producers to support the switch to vegan-friendly fining agents to filter our wines where we can."

With the release of their new Co-op Fairtrade Pinot Noir 2019, South Africa (£7, Co-op stores), with its characteristic raspberry notes, the aim here is to also raise a glass to the Fairtrade Foundation's 25th anniversary.

Encouragingly, as demand for vegan wines continues, Sainsbury's are seeing an increasing number of producers opting for vegan-friendly methods. "We're delighted to offer customers a breadth of choice, with approximately 65% of our own-brand range being suitable for vegans," says the supermarket's buyer, Tom Holliday.

"Brilliant new options include our Taste the Difference Galliac Blanc 2018, France (£8, Sainsbury's), a light bodied, crisp and zesty white."

"And our Taste the Difference Galliac Rouge 2017, France, £8, Sainsbury's), a deeply-coloured, fruit and smooth red, packed full of bold flavours," says Holliday.

M&S are in on the trend too, with more than 70% of their range entirely vegan, to help draw drinkers' attention to including more vegan elements into their overall diet and lifestyle. Sue Daniels, one of M&S' winemakers, says the movement is gaining momentum: "It's really exciting that our wine selection is part of this and we can offer such a wide range of choices - from a traditional Rioja to a new world Chenin Blanc."

Try their zesty and refreshing Craft 3 Chenin Blanc 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£10, Marks & Spencer stores), with its delightful peach, pear and creamy vanilla flavours.

And the sleek, fruit forward El Duque de Miralta Rioja Crianza 2015, Rioja, Spain (£10, Marks & Spencer stores), with its cherry aromas and vanilla spiced fruits.

Elsewhere, Laithwaite's stocks more than 150 vegan wines, and their range reflects the budding interest. To make the most of vegetable based risottos, try their very likeable Campanula Pinot Grigio 2018, Dunantul, Hungary (£9.99, Laithwaite's),with its ripe, tangy, lemony fruits and perfect balance of refreshing acidity.

And to add a bit more va-va-voom to veggie bakes, vegan chilli or tofu au vin even, go for a glass of this nicely poised Tarantella Merlot 2018, Tarantino IGP, Puglia, Italy (£10.99, Laithwaite's),with its sun-kissed plummy spiced fruits wrapped in silky smooth tannins - guaranteed to please vegans, vegetarians, non-vegans and wine lovers alike.

A top-end Valpolicella to bring more than a dose of panache to plant-based recipes, Musella Valpolicella Superiore 2017, Italy (£19.26, Armit Wines) is a wonderfully perfumed, cherry-fruited gem that sings from the glass with an aromatic core of voluptuous, concentrated fruit - and it's no surprise to hear the winemaker is at the top of her game.

"Drinkers are more aware of where their wine is coming from than ever before and we have seen a massive increase in interest in organic, biodynamic and vegan wines," says Alexander Hill, brand manager, Armit Wines.

"Musella is a pioneer of sustainable agriculture and Maddalena Pasqua di Bisceglie is leading the charge." Chin-chin!