Sulfites are a commonly used preservative found in foods, alcoholic drinks, and medications. The most commonly discussed sulfites are those found in wine.
"Sulfites are bad."
"Wine sulfites give me massive headaches."
"Sulfites are toxic. I stay away from them."
"Sulfites are not natural."
...these are just a few of the common responses when I ask people their thoughts on sulfites.
The reality is that few people know the true facts on sulfites.
There are lots of questions....
Is cheap wine the worst?
What about sulfite-free wines?
How can I tell if I am allergic to sulfites?
So lets discuss, and debunk ten sulfite myths.
1. MYTH: Sulfite-free wine is the best way to go if you don't want to consume sulfites.
TRUTH: Sulfite-free wine doesn't exist! A wine maker can claim that there are "no sulfites added, but all grapes create sulfites as a result of the fermentation process. Fermenting yeasts found on grape skins generate naturally occurring sulfites, about 6 to 40 ppm (parts per million).
2. MYTH: Organic wine is sometimes sulfite-free.
TRUTH: Organic wine often contains less sulfites. But as stated in #1, there is always going to be some amount of naturally occurring sulfites.
3. MYTH: If the label on a wine bottle doesn't say "contains sulfites", the wine is sulfite-free.
TRUTH: As stated, all wine will contain naturally occurring sulfites. By law, any wine with above 10 ppm sulfites, must post a "contains sulfites" label. If the wine contains below 10 ppm of sulfites, no label is required.
4. MYTH: Both red and white wine contain the same amount of sulfites.
TRUTH: A general rule is that white wine contains more sulfites than red wine. So a white wine headache may actually be a reality if you are slightly sensitive to sulfites.
5. MYTH: If wine says it contains sulfites, it is probably a significant amount, and should be avoided.
TRUTH: By law, all imported and domestic alcohol exceeding 10 ppm of sulfites must bear the label-warning "Contains Sulfites". Wines that contain less than 10 ppm sulfites are not required, however, this does not mean the wine contains no sulfites.
6. MYTH: Sulfites are unhealthy and many people are allergic.
TRUTH: The FDA says that only about .4% of the population is highly allergic to sulfites. However, many people are slightly sensative to sulfites. Asthmatics are especially at risk of sensitivity. Those who are sensitive should stick to organic wines, and choose red over white. Or avoid alcohol completely.
7. MYTH: Wine contains the highest concentration of sulfites out of any product on the market.
TRUTH: Actually, sulfites ranging from 6 to 6000 ppm are found in these products: fruit juices, dried fruits, fruit concentrates, syrups, sugar, jams, gelatins, cake toppings, baked goods, pizza dough, frozen potatoes, processed vegetables, cheeses, ans many prescription drugs. Two ounces of dried apricots, have 10 times the sulfites as a glass of wine. Eating dried apricots is a great way to test your allergic reaction to sulfites. But do so with caution under a doctors' close guidance.
8. MYTH: Sulfites cause more harm than good.
TRUTH: The possible negative effects of sulfite consumption is still unconfirmed. Sulfites are an amazing preservative, and have been used for hundreds of years. Without them, we would not be able to have wines that have the ability to age for many years. Sulfites also kill off any bugs that result from a ages-old, not-so-clean wineries. Some brand new wineries in California are extremely hygenic, and can use low sulfites for drink-quick wines. This couldn't happen at centuries old European wineries. So sulfites make it possible for us to drink certain high quality, aged wines with a bit of assurance. Sulfites also allow common household food items like strawberries and bread to keep for a much longer period of storage.
9. MYTH: European sold wines do not have the "contains sulfites" label warning, and thus have no or less sulfites.
TRUTH: Not true. Europeans think Americans are ridiculous for saying "has sulfites" on wine labels. To them it's like requiring a label saying "Has seeds!" on a store bought apple.
10. MYTH: Cheap wine, Massive Headache!
TRUTH: OK, this one can be true! There is an impurity called a cogener. Cogener is more concentrated in lower quality wine or dark alcohols.
Cogeners cause hangovers. Why do hangovers hit the morning after? Well interestingly, alcohol inhibits the action of the cogeners. So your hangover is usually delayed until after all the alcohol leaves your system and only the cogeners are left. (About the next morning, right.)
But don't worry, if you do get a massive hangover, you can always reach for some fresh young coconut water for the ultimate hangover remedy.
WineSnark says
Hey Kathy. I just wanted to let you know I quoted you in my article about sulfites in wine. There's also a link back to this page.
Cheers!
Don Carter
Guest says
Sulfites are extremely toxic to many people: specifically those who have genetic methylation cycle polymorphisms like what Dr. Amy Yasco helps people deal with. Sulfites can cause cardiovascular disease in many people after years of exposure. The moderator who censored my previous comment should be ashamed for putting people at risk by not allowing the free expression of life-saving information. Many of us have anaphylaxis from sulfites. This is from a genetic polymorphism vaguely known as "CBS." It starts getting bad when our bodies reach a maximum in sulfite toxicity. It is not an allergy! It is toxic! There are ways to protects yourself--study Dr. Amy Yasco's writings! Censoring people trying to help others with life-saving information is unethical and cruel. What is wrong with moderators? What are you afraid of? Being wrong? Foolish. You should be afraid your "wrong" may cause the death of someone!
Mia Baz says
Mead! Tell us about the mead!!!!!! 🙂
Le Douce says
Are sulfites vegan?
Tracy says
Hi Kathy - I just wanted to let you know that there is, in fact, a sulfite free wine out there. Orleans Hill in California makes a zero parts per million sulfite free wine. There are several varieties, all reasonably priced (8 - 12 dollars or so). They explain the process they use to clear the sulfites on their website. Also, current statistics show that about 1 in 100 people are diagnosed with a sulfite sensitivity. That is just the ones that are diagnosed - I suffered for 20+ years before I was diagnosed and know many other people in the same situation. I agree with much of what you have said here, this is a much more accurate and informative article than almost all the ones I have read on this topic. Thanks!
Tracy
Kathy says
Ed,
I don't kow much about wine pairings. As I have found that most sommeliers focus around pairing wine according to red meat vs. fish vs. chicken vs. pork ECT...
While it is more difficult to find some good literature about how to pair wines with different veggie dishes.
However, it would be interesting....acidic vs. sweet vs. tart vs. leafy vs. spicy vs. salty, all for vegan dishes.
If you have any info, let me know. A wine-pairings for vegans, post would be very fun to do!
Kathy
Kathy says
Ed,I don't kow much about wine pairings. As I have found that most sommeliers focus around pairing wine according to red meat vs. fish vs. chicken vs. pork ECT...While it is more difficult to find some good literature about how to pair wines with different veggie dishes. However, it would be interesting....acidic vs. sweet vs. tart vs. leafy vs. spicy vs. salty, all for vegan dishes. If you have any info, let me know. A wine-pairings for vegans, post would be very fun to do!Kathy
Kathy says
Ed,
I don't kow much about wine pairings. As I have found that most sommeliers focus around pairing wine according to red meat vs. fish vs. chicken vs. pork ECT...
While it is more difficult to find some good literature about how to pair wines with different veggie dishes.
However, it would be interesting....acidic vs. sweet vs. tart vs. leafy vs. spicy vs. salty, all for vegan dishes.
If you have any info, let me know. A wine-pairings for vegans, post would be very fun to do!
Kathy
Kathy says
Winelabels,
Very helpful info. My research about EU labels must have been a bit dated. However, I do think it is funny that Europeans rebelled against the seemingly-silly label for a while. It is good to know that we can look for it now.
Kathy
ps...A few 'other language' translations for
CONTAINS SULFITES:
CONTIENT DE SULFITES, French
ENTHÄLT sulfites, German
CONTIENE sulfites, Italian
ZAWIERA SULFITES, Polish
CONTIENE sulfitos, Spanish
INNEHÅLLER SULFITES, Swedish
СОДЕРЖИТ SULFITES, Ukranian
含まSULFITES, Japanese
Sadrži SULFITES, Croatian
SISÄLTÄÄ SULFITES, Finnish
BEVAT SULFITES, Dutch
OBSAHUJE SULFITES, Czech
...just a little multi-lingual fun.
Kathy says
Winelabels,Very helpful info. My research about EU labels must have been a bit dated. However, I do think it is funny that Europeans rebelled against the seemingly-silly label for a while. It is good to know that we can look for it now.Kathyps...A few 'other language' translations for CONTAINS SULFITES:CONTIENT DE SULFITES, FrenchENTHÄLT sulfites, GermanCONTIENE sulfites, ItalianZAWIERA SULFITES, PolishCONTIENE sulfitos, SpanishINNEHÅLLER SULFITES, SwedishСОДЕРЖИТ SULFITES, Ukranian含まSULFITES, JapaneseSadrži SULFITES, CroatianSISÄLTÄÄ SULFITES, FinnishBEVAT SULFITES, DutchOBSAHUJE SULFITES, Czech...just a little multi-lingual fun.
Kathy says
Winelabels,
Very helpful info. My research about EU labels must have been a bit dated. However, I do think it is funny that Europeans rebelled against the seemingly-silly label for a while. It is good to know that we can look for it now.
Kathy
ps...A few 'other language' translations for
CONTAINS SULFITES:
CONTIENT DE SULFITES, French
ENTHÄLT sulfites, German
CONTIENE sulfites, Italian
ZAWIERA SULFITES, Polish
CONTIENE sulfitos, Spanish
INNEHÅLLER SULFITES, Swedish
СОДЕРЖИТ SULFITES, Ukranian
含まSULFITES, Japanese
Sadrži SULFITES, Croatian
SISÄLTÄÄ SULFITES, Finnish
BEVAT SULFITES, Dutch
OBSAHUJE SULFITES, Czech
...just a little multi-lingual fun.
winelabels says
Hi Kathy.
Just like to say that European wines (ie made within the EU) have been labelled wine as "contains sulphites" for several years now. Of course the label can be in the national language rather than English!
winelabels says
Hi Kathy.Just like to say that European wines (ie made within the EU) have been labelled wine as "contains sulphites" for several years now. Of course the label can be in the national language rather than English!
winelabels says
Hi Kathy.
Just like to say that European wines (ie made within the EU) have been labelled wine as "contains sulphites" for several years now. Of course the label can be in the national language rather than English!
Ed Thralls says
Kathy, great research and information. I also appreciate you sharing that detail with my wine friends at http://www.winetonite.com/2008/11/04/sulfite-myths/
Do you write more about wine and/or pairings with food by any chance?
Ed Thralls says
Kathy, great research and information. I also appreciate you sharing that detail with my wine friends at http://www.winetonite.com/2008/11/04/sulfite-myths/
Do you write more about wine and/or pairings with food by any chance?
Ed Thralls says
Kathy, great research and information. I also appreciate you sharing that detail with my wine friends at http://www.winetonite.com/2008/11/04/sulfite-myths/
Do you write more about wine and/or pairings with food by any chance?