As it turns out, red wine has significantly more histamine than white wine.Īnother side effect usually attributed to sulfites is the dreaded hangover, that painful combination of throbbing headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, and thirst. While there is some recent research that shows sulfite concentration in wine can induce headaches, there are other studies that indicate histamine is more likely the cause. The red wine headache is a common complaint attributed to sulfites.
While sulfites are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, there are many people who say these compounds can have disastrous effects, including headaches, hangovers, and hives. When it comes to sulfites, it's not simply a matter of red vs. Still, there are always exceptions to the rule and not all white wines are high in sugar - dry brut and high-tannin white wines like Chardonnay are two such examples. And you know what that means: more sulfites are needed to halt these microbes from growing wild and ruining the wine. As a result, white wine tends to have more sugar than red wine, thereby attracting more bacteria. As such, less sulfur dioxide is required.īy comparison, white wine ferments for a shorter time than red wine and the juice doesn't have contact with the grape skins. This results in a higher amount of tannins, which act as a natural antioxidant that protects the wine from bacteria. When producing red wine, the juice has contact with the grape skins and seeds. Sulfite levels depend on how the wine is made and how much sugar it has. While all wine contains some level of sulfites, the prevailing myth has been that red wine has more sulfites than white wine. The closest you're going to get to wine without sulfites (natural or otherwise) is an organic wine that does not have the "contains sulfites" label. If you see a wine promoted as "sulfite-free," be aware that it only means there are no added sulfites. Per the USDA, winemakers must add the phrase "contains sulfites" on wine labels when there is more than 10ppm. By contrast, organic wines max out sulfite levels at just 10ppm, and they must be naturally occurring. In the United States, conventional wines can have up to 350ppm of sulfites. Sulfite levels are measured in "ppm," or parts per million. For instance, Usual Wines are made without any added sulfites, no sugar, zero chemical additives, and minimal intervention. However, not all wines have added sulfites. Many winemakers use sulfur dioxide to kill off unwanted yeast and bacteria so you don't get an oxidized wine, which could ultimately ruin a wine's taste, texture, color, and appearance. How Do Sulfites Affect Wine?Īs mentioned, synthetic sulfites affect wine by acting as a preservative and inhibiting bacterial contamination. That said, you can find wines that are made without added sulfites (aka lab-created, synthetic sulfites). Because sulfur dioxide is released as a natural byproduct of the fermentation process during winemaking, it's impossible to have a completely sulfite-free wine. Wine also contains naturally occurring sulfites. Plenty of foods (think dried fruit, canned soups, and prepackaged deli meats) have added sulfites, while others such as chocolate, black tea, eggs, and fermented foods like pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi contain natural sulfites. They can reduce browning on fruits and vegetables, prevent the growth of yeast and bacteria in wine, and even stabilize the potency of medications. Some examples of sulfites include sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfites, and metabisulfites. Sulfites are inorganic salts that contain the sulfite ion and can act as preservatives and antioxidants, namely for food and drinks. As such, there's an ongoing debate about whether or not these compounds can spell trouble for your health.īut is there such a thing as wine without sulfites? And is this type of wine better for your health? This guide will clue you in to everything you need to know about sulfites so you can make an informed decision before picking your next bottle of wine. They can also be created synthetically to use as preservatives. Blamed for everything from allergies to hangovers, sulfites are compounds that naturally occur in the human body, certain foods, and wine. No matter how much or how little you know about wine, chances are you've heard about sulfites.
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