Sulfite Free Wine

What is a No Added Sulfite Wine?

A wine without added sulphites is, as its name suggests, a wine to which no sulfur dioxide (SO2) has been added during the manufacturing process (from harvest to bottling). We often talk about natural wine.

 

How to Recognize a Wine Without Added Sulfites?

Sulfites in wine is a complex question. Even if it is not compulsory, the winegrowers generally add the mention “without added sulphites” on the label in order to indicate to consumers that it is a natural wine without any inputs. European law requires winemakers to add the statement “contains sulphites” on all wines containing more than 10 mg/l of sulfur dioxide. The problem is that between wines between 15 mg/l of total SO2 and those containing 200 mg/l, it is impossible to tell the difference…
So you simply have to trust your wine merchant or sommelier… Recently, there has been the nature method wine label which is intended to be the equivalent of the AB label for natural wine. However, it is far from unanimous and still very few winegrowers have joined…

 

Why Drink Wine Without Sulphite?

There are two main reasons that seem essential to us for choosing to drink sulfite-free wine:

• The first reason is medical. A large number of people are sensitive or allergic to sulfur dioxide. Indeed, listed on the list of 14 major allergens, sulphites can cause irritation, headaches, breathing difficulties, hot flashes, swelling, itching…

• The second is about taste. Love it or hate it, sulphites change the taste, aroma, mouthfeel and energy of wine. Between a bottle containing no added sulphites and another with 200 mg/l SO2, there is quite a difference!