Sulphites in Wine

22 June 2012

There are many different rumors and mindsets about the issue of Sulphites in wine, particularly that sulphite in wine causes damage to people who have an intolerance to sulphite causing allergic reactions. The majority of people are fine to drink it, however sulphites have a startling number of links with cancer, and it is alarming to see its effects of the increase of asthma worldwide. It has even been suggested that sulphites in wine should be banned completely after leading to the staggering deaths of over 30 people who merely ate from a salad bar in the USA. It may be that those who are not allergic aren’t visibly effected by these wines but the real damage is done within, and those with allergies are actually lucky to have a warning system stopping them from poisoning themselves. More and more people are making the decision to stop consuming sulphite-packed products to enjoy a healthier and richer life.

While sulphite allergy is very hard to diagnose, it appears as many different symptoms and can vary from person to person, but when it comes down to it, if you feel ill after supermarket wine, beer or processed foods? It’s very difficult to know where you stand within it because sulphite can be found in nearly all examples of processed food. Side effects to sulphite intolerance include a variety of symptoms including restricted breathing, flushing, vomiting, the swelling up of your mouth, itching, sneezing to a streaming nose, it could be anything.

And if you think that buying natural wines such as those that are organic or biodynamic are a good alternative, you are mistaken; these wines are often packed with sulphites too. The only way you can be sure of having no sulphites is buying ‘Sulphite Free Wines’. However be careful, this is a little talked about issue and therefore a lot of retailers and winemakers don’t understand it, and may in avertedly give you false advice. ‘Natural Wine’ as a term is being tossed around recently and can refer to any number of things so purchasing one of these is a risk.

Good Wine Online is one of the UK’s leading wine merchant offering a wealth of knowledge about Natural Wines and low sulphite wines. Click the link to their website above to find out more information.

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22 June 2012

Sulphites in Wine