You may have seen ‘Contains sulphites’ on a wine label but have you ever wondered what this means? Or maybe you have heard that sulphites in wine are bad for you and the reason for a pesky headache the next morning. There are so many rumours going around about sulphites, it is hard to know what to believe. But are sulphites in wine bad for you?
Although there is so much about wine and winemaking that is misunderstood, sulphites are one of the most confused. They get a serious bad rap like the evil villain in a bad movie. But for most of the population sulphites are harmless, and actually very important to your bottle of wine. So let’s unpack what you need to know about sulphites in wine.
Why are there sulphites in wine?
Sulphites, or sulphur dioxide, quite simply are a preservative. They are not just found in wine, but found in many of the foods we eat from crackers to dried apricots. Anything that is processed is likely to contain at least some level of sulphites.
There are two types of sulphite you’ll find in wine: natural and added.
- Natural sulphites are completely natural compounds produced during fermentation that can’t be escaped. Sulphur free wine simply does not exist as it is a by-product of the fermentation process.
- Added sulphites are added to wine to preserve freshness and protect wine from oxidation, unwanted bacteria and yeasts. These are added as wines without added sulphites won’t stand the test of time in a cellar.
Sulphites are incredibly helpful for winemakers as they act as an anti-microbial agent. They ensure that your wine doesn’t turn to vinegar and even can improve the release of flavour during fermentation. So you see – sulphites get a bit of a bad rap for how much they add to the wine we drink.
The amount of sulphites that a wine can contain is highly regulated. Any wine with a certain amount of sulphur dioxide must have ‘contains sulphites’ on the label. However, they don’t need to disclose how much exactly.
Are sulphites in wine bad?
The wording ‘contains sulphites’ sounds very ominous. It makes you think that this is something bad, like the nicotine of wine. There are also a lot of rumours flying around about sulphites and what they can do to you. But for the most part, sulphites are more a friend than a foe.
In fact, if sulphites are bad, a lot of the food we eat today would need this label too. Wine averages around 80 PPM and dried fruit can have around 3500 PPM! Even things like chips and pizza contain sulphites.
So why have the label on wine? Well in the 1980s there was a rise in sulphur allergies due to the large number of preservatives being used. This needed to be disclosed to let those with sulphur allergies know that there is sulphur in the wine.
Reactions to sulphites
There are many people who think they are allergic to sulphites, but actually, most people can ingest them with no negative impacts. However, there is a small percentage of the population (about 1%) who are sensitive to sulphites, and about 5% of those with asthma reactions. This group can have bad reactions to sulphites and should be mindful of this. Reactions can be anything from hives to difficulty breathing.
But most of us are not allergic to sulphites, and sulphites in wine are not going to give you a reaction. It’s a common misconception that sulphites give you a headache. What is causing the headache is the dehydrating properties of the alcohol. It could also be caused by histamines in the wine rather than the sulphites themselves.
In summary – Are sulphites in wine bad?
If you do have sulphite sensitivity, minimising the amount of sulphites in your wine is important. Choosing minimal intervention or Organic wines will help to do this as they do not have as many preservatives added to the wine. Red wine also tends to contain less than white wines. You can also seek out companies who look to sell or produce wines with minimal sulphur (Keto wines is one I’ve come across).
The good news is, most of us are not allergic to sulphites. This often disliked compound is one of the reasons your wine can be aged and doesn’t have any nasties in it! So next time you see ‘contains sulphites’ on the label, don’t freak out! Just thank that compound for its hard work.