Many ask themselves, what is Halal certification, and how do you choose between certified and non-certified wines?
Finding Halal certified wine or a wine with a label indicating that manufacturers made it in compliance with Islamic law should be high on your list when searching for wine.
If you want to drink or eat Halal-certified products, there must be only two options: either buy a certified product or go without it.
But nowadays, there are plenty of ways to discover the best Halal wines, but many consumers have no idea where to start. This article will help with that.
Before we go into the details, you might ask, in general, is alcohol halal?
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Is Alcohol Halal?
Yes. Islam allows the consumption of alcohol. The Quran contains many references to its consumption, which is mentioned several times in the Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad).
Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol, but they must follow specific guidelines.
It is permissible for medicinal purposes or for non-Muslims who do not have access to any other form of medicine.
Muslims should not consume alcohol excessively or use it as an intoxicant. Alcohol is haram (prohibited) when consumed to excess.
Now let’s go into the details of halal wines.
What Are Halal Wines?
Halal wines are a rapidly growing category in the wine industry. The word halal means “permissible” in Arabic, while haram means “forbidden.”
The concept of halal food is an integral part of Muslim culture and tradition. For Muslims who follow Sharia Law, consuming or touching alcohol is forbidden because it goes against Islamic principles.
Foods that don’t contain pork or alcohol are considered halal. The requirements for halal certification vary by region and country of origin.
What Is Halal Certification?
Halal certification is a process that ensures products meet Islamic standards for food. There are no forbidden ingredients or methods in halal foods, so certified products are suitable for Muslims to consume.
Governments or religious authorities with jurisdiction over the area where companies will sell the wine can grant Halal certifications.
In Europe and America, independent bodies usually perform halal certification that certifies food products for Muslim consumers.
These organizations are certified by the appropriate government authority but do not make any decisions about what constitutes halal foods; they verify whether or not companies meet specific standards during production.
Halal certified Wines
Suppose you’re looking for an entirely halal wine. In that case, you’ll need to ensure it’s certified by an organization like the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) or the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC).
These organizations have established specific standards for halal wines that businesses must follow throughout every production stage, including grape growing, bottling, and shipping.
Wineries make Halal wines from grapes grown, harvested, and processed under Islamic law. This means that they can add no alcohol to the wine, and no animal products — such as gelatin — can be used in its production.
As a foundation, there are three critical ways that a wine can be certified as Halal:
1) It has been made from grapes grown on a vineyard certified as halal by IFANCA.
2) Wineries made it from grapes grown on a vineyard where they used no alcohol during production, and the wine is free of sulfites and does not contain any animal byproducts.
3) The wine has been stored in inert stainless steel tanks or other containers.
Currently, wineries produce Halal-certified wines with grapes grown in France or Australia, although there are a few exceptions, such as the award-winning Qumra brand from the United States.
Numerous brands do not have an official halal certification but still claim to use traditional methods and grape varieties approved by Muslim scholars.
What Do Halal And Kosher Mean?
Halal and kosher foods are not necessarily the same thing. While halal and kosher certifications involve an extensive process of animal slaughter, the two terms have different meanings and applications in the food industry.
Halal
Halal foods are those that are allowed under Islamic law.
According to Muslim guidelines, the Quran prohibits Muslims from consuming pork or alcohol and meat from animals that haven’t been slaughtered.
Kosher
Kosher foods are those that meet the dietary requirements of Jews as set by Jewish law.
The term kosher can is both meat and dairy products, and people use it when referring to meat or poultry products processed according to Jewish law.
The difference between kosher and halal food is essential because there is a growing demand for certified halal wines. This is partly due to the increasing Muslim population in countries like France, where wine is an important cultural tradition.
Are There Any Non-Halal Wines That Still Qualify As Halal To Some Muslims?
Yes. There are several wineries across the country producing wines without using traditional filtering methods, which makes them suitable for some Muslims’ diets.
It’s important to note that these wines may not be certified as halal; however, they’re still often considered acceptable by some Muslim communities because they don’t contain any animal products in their production or filtering process.
This includes wines made with fruit juice and grape juice instead of actual grapes, considered halal by some Muslims because they don’t contain any trace amounts of alcohol remaining from their natural fermentation process.
Final Thoughts
While the topic of halal certification is highly complex, this guide should at least help dispel some misperceptions about it.
So what should consumers look for when buying halal-certified wines? Here are some tips:
- Look for a reputable organization that verifies all aspects of production — from grape growing and harvesting through winemaking and bottling — as well as product distribution and labelling.
- Check the fine print on the label. It should include details about how long they aged the wine (usually at least six months) and whether they used sulfites. The wine’s alcohol content and should not exceed 14 per cent, the maximum amount allowed in an Islamically acceptable beverage.
- Ensure they do not include additives or preservatives after fermentation (sometimes when the wine is bottled).
- Look for an evident halal certification seal on the bottle. Note that some wineries may not be able to provide a halal certificate because of the way their products are made or sold.