Wine and Sulfites

Sulfite free wine does not exist in nature. It’s physically impossible. However, sulfite free wines are becoming popular amongst wine consumers.

There is a movement in the wine making industry that wants to eliminate wine that contains sulfite. Why? It’s a chemical preservative. But let’s look at what it actually does.

What are Sulfites?

During wine making sulfites are added to cease bacterial development and oxidation. In sulfite free wine, no sulfites are added to the wine during the winemaking process, although they are naturally produced in the fermentation process. So, there is technically no such thing as a sulfite free wine.

These days winemakers have often overused them to mask odors from the wine or a poor quality crop of grapes. Sulfites have been linked to health symptoms including headaches, respiratory problems, rashes, and other allergic reactions. The sulfites that are added cause these allergic reactions, whereas the naturally formed sulfites usually cause no side effects.

The biggest concern about sulfites is the side effect of headaches. While sulfites can cause headaches, naturally occurring tannins released from the skins of the grapes are more likely the cause of headaches. But people are unsure and no evidence has been done to illustrate the harmful side effects of sulfites. So now, organic advocates will say that if it is not occurring naturally, it should not be added.

Organic Wine and Sulfites.

Sulfites have not been added to organic wine, but sulfites are a naturally occurring result of fermentation, coming from the skin of the grapes. So, organic wines have to maintain a level of sulfites less than 100 parts per million (ppm), as opposed to the 350 ppm limit for non-organic wine makers.

If you are concerned with added sulfites, you should be aware that European wines have significantly higher sulfites than American wines. Also, white wines need twice the sulfites red wines do.

Taste of Sulfite Free Wines.

Many people enjoyed the taste of wines which have added sulfites. This is why organic wines have not taken off.

Although sulfite free wines have a brown tint to them, organic wine lovers are touting the rich, true flavor of the wine when no sulfites are added. But, still others will swear that sulfite free wine tastes like battery acid.

Since wine tasting is such a personal choice,only you can decide if you like the flavor of truly organic wine with no added sulfites. Many times the good organics never get to the wine shop shelves, but can be found at local restaurants and wineries. Since the nature of sulfite free wine is that it cannot sit for long periods of time without some spoilage, these untainted bouquets may never be for mass consumption.

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