People are still debating about the properties of sulphite free and natural wines and whether or not the hangover-free “tagline” is simply a gimmick to increase sales. Here we will look into the details of sulphite free wine and why people are slowly but surely moving over from standard wines. It is known that the sulphites in wine are what induce headaches and other hangover symptoms. But are we rushing to blame these additives too quickly?

 

Despite the fact that more sulphites are added into standard wines, it is not always known that sulphites are produced naturally during the fermentation process. A regulation passed in 2005 has forced all wine companies to display “contains sulphites” on their bottles when more than 10 ppm is present in a bottle.

 

But the surprising part about this regulation is that some wines can be produced completely naturally and still will contain more than 10 ppm without adding any sulphites whatsoever, meaning that a “no added sulphite” bottle of wine will be required to display a sulphite warning label.

 

 

Sulphites, or SO2, are added to wines due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and preservative properties. Sulphites are also widely used in the food industry and will be labelled E220. To put it simply, this additive helps us keep our wine and food fresher for longer, but at what cost?

 

For example, some wines with sulphite levels reaching between 500 to 3000 ppm can cause adverse reactions to those who suffer from asthma. Despite the fact sulphite intolerances is rare, as low as 1%, there are still significant number of people that are conscious of what additives go into their body. Sulphite free wines are definitely the answer to those wine connoisseurs who are health conscious.

 

 

The fact is, sulphites are still being used in wines today, despite the more health conscious world that we are living in. So exactly how does one avoid wines with additives? Some bottles will clearly display a “contains sulphites” warning label, with other wines displaying “no added sulphites” to guide you to those straight away.

 

We are only going to get more health conscious as a society, so it is worth your time to learn now which of your favourite wines may need to be switched. Contact online sulphite free and natural wine suppliers for more information and to order your first batch of natural wines.