(Decanter) - A new device that claims to soften tannins in young wine by exposing the juice to ultraviolet light could also help increase the number of wines available for vegans, according to winemakers taking part in early trials.

A Swiss company claims to be offering winemakers a new weapon against harsh tannins and underripe wines.

Some winemakers also believe that the firm’s namesake gadget, Vino Flux, could make it easier to produce vegan wines.

Vino Flux is trialling its namesake device with 150 Australian wineries, and it claims that its UV light rays will soften tannins and speed up the maturation process.

Exposing wine to ultraviolet light can be detrimental to colour, tannin and ageing potential.

But Vino Flux distributor Aldo Bratovic said the Swiss firm had found a way to target red wine tannins by using specific wavelengths in the UV range, without affecting the fruit profile.