{"id":6773,"date":"2021-03-24T08:00:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T11:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/?p=6773"},"modified":"2021-03-24T08:00:51","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T11:00:51","slug":"sulfites-in-wine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/sulfites-in-wine\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Sulfites in Wine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sulfites: are they good or bad for you? The public has a history of misunderstanding sulfites and the role they play in a wine\u2019s production and composition. You may have heard that sulfites cause hangover headaches, for instance, or that they are fierce allergens. In reality, sulfites are a natural part of wine\u2019s fermentation process and they have potentially harmful effects on only about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/sulfites-in-wine#:~:text=Sulfites%20are%20a%20food%20preservative,the%20dreaded%20wine%2Dinduced%20headache.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the population. Here is more information on sulfites, what classifications of wine contain them, and dispelled myths.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Key takeaways:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All wine naturally contains small amounts of sulfites. Winemakers often add additional sulfites to wine to prevent it from browning and to improve its appearance and shelf life. Organic wine contains no added sulfites.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The federal government requires wine bottles to carry a sulfite statement (\u201ccontains sulfites\u201d) if a wine contains just 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulfites.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sulfites are generally harmless to the majority of wine drinkers. A small percentage of the population (1%) has a sensitivity to sulfites. Possible side effects experienced by those with a vulnerability to sulfites include headaches, hives, swelling, wheezing, and stomach pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is possible for wine drinkers with sulfite sensitivity to safely enjoy wine. This can be achieved by minimizing their alcohol consumption, choosing organic wine made without any added sulfites, and opting for red wine, which has significantly lower sulfite concentrations than white or dessert wine.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>What exactly are sulfites?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sulfites, commonly called sulfur dioxide, are chemical compounds that improve the appearance, shelf life, and sometimes taste of wine and other food and beverage products, such as pickles, sodas, jams, juices, dried fruits, and vegetables. This compound is found naturally in wine and a variety of other foods such as black tea, peanuts, eggs, and fermented foods. Sulfites are added to many foods as a preservative to slow spoilage and discoloration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>How are sulfites a part of the wine-making process?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sulfites are a part of winemaking around the world, as a matter of natural development and necessity:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if they are not added, sulfites naturally occur at low levels in all wines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sulfites are part of thousands of chemical by-products created during the process of wine fermentation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sulfites are added to wine to protect it from bacteria and yeast. They maintain freshness, minimize oxidation, and significantly improve the shelf life of wine.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winemakers add sulfites to wine if they think it will make it taste better.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The federal government requires a wine bottle to carry a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winemag.com\/2021\/01\/26\/sulfites-wine-headache\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sulfite statement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if it contains just ten parts per million (ppm).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winemakers at certified organic vineyards often utilize sulfites to control mildew.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>Do organic wines contain sulfites?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order for a wine to be considered organic, it cannot include any added sulfites. Additionally, organic wine must be made using organically-grown grapes and may contain naturally-occurring sulfites at less than ten ppm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without the addition of chemicals and sulfite preservatives, organic wine is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/en\/organic-wine-taste\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clean and fresh<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, better for your body, and better for the planet. This great-tasting wine will not, however, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/en\/organic-wine-shelf-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">last as long<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a mass-produced wine and needs to be consumed more quickly. While organic wines are not sulfite-free, their levels are minimal compared with conventional wines.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What are my chances of having an allergic reaction to sulfites?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most wine drinkers can safely consume the sulfites found in wine with minimal risk of adverse reactions.\u00a0 The Food and Drug Administration reports that 1% of the population is sensitive to sulfites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wine enthusiasts with known sensitivities to sulfites can minimize their intake with these tactics:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit the amount of wine and alcohol consumed in one sitting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start drinking wine produced with no added sulfites.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opt for red wine, which has significantly lower sulfite concentrations than white or dessert wine.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose organic wines, which have no added sulfites<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check ingredient labels carefully and avoid pairing wine with foods that have high concentrations of sulfites, such as jams, dried fruits, and sausage.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a little bit of effort, people with sulfite vulnerability can minimize their intake and still enjoy wine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>How do you know if you have a sensitivity to sulfites?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, there is no blood or saliva test to determine sensitivity to sulfites. The only way medical professionals can test for it is to give a person food with sulfites and wait for a potential reaction. The severity of reactions to sulfites varies and symptoms of an allergy include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hives and itchiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trouble swallowing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness and a drop in blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trouble breathing\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asthmatics, in particular, need to be aware of sulfite allergies; 5% to 10% of people with asthma are also allergic to sulfites. The combination of asthma and sulfite allergy can cause life-threatening breathing difficulties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an aside, there are no studies linking sulfites to headaches. Many experts believe that headache complaints commonly associated with sulfites in wine are actually caused by other things in wine, such as histamines, tannins, and alcohol content.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>Organic wine from Domaine Bousquet<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sulfites are added by winemakers to preserve wine and alter its appearance and taste. The majority of wine drinkers do not need to worry about sulfites in wine. They naturally occur in all wines and are present in many of the natural and manufactured foods you consume in your daily life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domaine Bousquet produces award-winning organic wines that are low in naturally-occurring sulfites. Our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/en\/vinos\/virgen-cabernet-sauvignon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virgen wines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (no sulfites added) contain organic fruit that benefits from brilliant sunlight and 50-degree temperature swings from day to night. Learn more about our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/en\/our-wines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organic wines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/en\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you have any questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sulfites: are they good or bad for you? The public has a history of misunderstanding sulfites and the role they play in a wine\u2019s production and composition. You may have heard that sulfites cause hangover headaches, for instance, or that they are fierce allergens. In reality, sulfites are a natural part of wine\u2019s fermentation process [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6773\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domainebousquet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}