So apparently, wine is not entirely plant-based. This week we are celebrating the Grammy-award winning singer, actress, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist, Mýa Harrison, for the recent launch of her vegan wine label, Planet 9 Fine Wine. As an advocate for animal rights and a long-term practicing vegan, Mýa has wanted to produce a wine that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their dietary restrictions.
Yes! Wine is not necessarily vegan (or animal free). In fact, the standard practice of producing wines require fining agents, typically derived from animal products, that are capable of removing any excess byproducts (e.g. proteins, tannins, and phenolics) from the wine. Wine self-fining can occur naturally, however, wine producers add these fining agents to help accelerate the process. This is the reason why your wine is translucent when you purchase it in stores.
Born into a musically inclined family, Mýa has always had the bug for singing and dancing in front of others, which would lead her to become the famous R&B artist she is today. With the strong support of her father, who was also a singer and musician, she was able to sign with Interscope Records, a major record label, where she launched her debut album, Mýa, in 1998, selling over a million copies nationwide and going platinum in the first year of its release. She quickly became a standout act, eventually landing features with some of the hottest celebrities in the industry of that time, such as Jay Z, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot, Christina Aguilera, Jadakiss, and P!nk among many others. She also began her acting career in 1999 when she starred in the thriller In Too Deep, and several other successful movie productions such as Shall We Dance?, The Heart Specialist, The Metrosexual, and Love For Sale between 2000 and 2010. As she continued to explore her acting career, she moved from Interscope Records to Universal Motown, where she unfortunately did not experience the same level of success. However, this did not stop Mýa from producing her own music. She ultimately started her own record label, Planet 9, where she continued to release music up until 2019.
Oddly enough, Mýa decided to name her wine after her record label, Planet 9, in which she first released the wine label during a PETA’s Go Vegan campaign in 2016. Mýa has partnered with Frey Vineyards to produce the Planet 9 Fine Wine, which is an organic, plant-based, non-GMO, and sulfate-free Cabernet Sauvignon commonly described as containing plum-infusions. You can purchase her wine online for $69.95, which is only available to be shipped to select states. In addition to her many ventures, Mýa also serves as a philanthropist and activist for various causes, including animal rights, education in art and technology for at-risk youth, breast cancer awareness, advocacy for the homeless, AIDS, LGBTQIA, women empowerment, and health and economic development. To learn more about these causes and gain exclusive insights on her vegan lifestyle, you can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @myaplanet9.
Published July 30, 2020 | Chelsea Stephens, CEO
Image Credit: Mýa and Planet 9 Fine Wine
Sources: [1] Planet 9 Fine Wine; [2] LIVEKINDLY; [3] The Wine Daily; [4] Veg News; [5] Vegan Wines; [6] The Kitchn
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