A deep dive into sulphites…
What are sulphites and should you be worried?
If you’ve ever picked up a bottle of wine and noticed the label says “contains sulphites,” you might have wondered what that means—and whether it’s something to be concerned about.
Let’s break it down simply: sulphites (or sulfites) are a type of preservative and antioxidant used in wine to keep it fresh, stable, and safe to drink. But what do they do exactly, and why do some people prefer preservative-free (sulphur-free) wine?
Why are sulphites used in wine?
Sulphites are used in winemaking mainly to:
- Prevent unwanted bacteria or spoilage
- Protect against oxidation
- Maintain a wine’s freshness and fruity flavours
From the moment wine leaves the winery until it reaches your glass, it can go through a lot – temperature changes, storage conditions, time in transit. Sulphites help make sure your wine still tastes great when you finally open it.
Because of all these factors, it’s often difficult to eliminate sulphites entirely. We do however, have a lovely selection of low sulphur wines and would love for you to explore further – click here to see our range.
Are Sulphites Harmful?
For most people, sulphites are completely harmless. However, some individuals have a sulphite sensitivity or allergy, which means their body lacks the enzymes needed to break them down.
If you have a sulphite allergy, you’ll probably notice reactions from food first, as dried fruits and processed foods usually contain much higher levels of sulphites than wine.
That said, if you find that you only react to wine and not to other sulphite-rich foods, the issue might not be sulphites at all – it could be something else in the wine, such as:
- Tannins
- Histamines
- Alcohol content
It’s also worth knowing that sensitivities can develop over time. So, even if wine didn’t affect you in the past, it’s possible to become more sensitive to certain compounds now.
Wine labelling
In Australia (and many other countries), any wine containing more than 10 parts per million of sulphites must be labelled “contains sulphites.”
If you’re travelling to the United States, their labelling laws are different. For a wine to be labelled as “organic” in the U.S., it must not contain added sulphites. If it does, it will be labelled “made with organically grown grapes.” In Australia, Canada, and Europe, organic wines may still contain added sulphites, and are simply labelled “organic.”
What about wine headaches?
We often hear from people who say: “I can’t drink wine – it gives me a headache.”
While many assume sulphites are to blame, that’s not always the case. Tannins (more common in red wine) and histamines are more likely culprits when it comes to wine-related headaches.
In fact, white wines usually have more sulphites than reds, yet people often associate red wine with headaches. Why? Because red wine contains more tannins, which are natural compounds found in grape skins and seeds.
Sulphites are also naturally occurring
Here’s something most people don’t realise: sulphites are a natural by-product of the fermentation process. Even if no sulphur is added, wine will always contain some sulphites, though in very small amounts.
But for most people, sulphites in wine are safe and play an important role in keeping wine fresh and enjoyable, but for those wanting a low-sulphur wine, the Pure Vision range might be a better option – click here to explore further.