Wine and Sulfites

Sulfite free wine does not exist in nature. It’s physically impossible. However, no sulfate added wines are becoming popular today.

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

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

The biggest issue about sulfites is the side effect of headaches. While added sulfites can cause headaches, naturally occurring tannins released from the skins of the grapes are more likely the cause of headaches. But people are uncertain and no evidence has been done to illustrate the harmful side effects of sulfites. So for now, organic proponents 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 during the fermentation process sulfites naturally occure, from the skin of the grapes. So, organic wines must 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 informed 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. Organic wines are not usually found on shop shelves, instead 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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