Ah, sulfites... a word that often makes wine enthusiasts cringe ! You have probably already heard lively discussions about them, perhaps even avoiding them, thinking they are the sole and unique cause of your headaches after a few glasses.
But what are they really? Are they as bad as claimed ? Why are they used ? What roles do they play in wine?
What are sulfites?
Firstly, it is important not to confuse sulfites (or sulfur dioxide) with sulfur itself ! The latter, yellow in color, insoluble, and exuding a rotten egg smell, is indeed never used in winemaking (unless one wishes to deliberately poison you).
Sulfur dioxide (or sulfites), on the other hand, is composed of one sulfur atom and two oxygen atoms. Its scientific formula is therefore SO2 and it is this compound that winemakers use for various reasons.
Sulfur dioxide can be used at various stages such as during the harvest to protect the grapes from oxidation, at the end of fermentation to ensure it does not restart, or at bottling to definitively protect the wine ready for consumption.
You might be surprised to learn that sulfites are not only added by human hands. These compounds also form naturally during the grape fermentation process !
Thus, all wines, whether red, white, rosé, or even sparkling, naturally contain sulfites, even in very small quantities.This is why some bottles display the mention " without added sulfites ", giving full meaning to the last word.
The labeling of the mention "contains sulfites" is mandatory on bottles when the concentration exceeds 10 mg/l
The roles of sulfites in wine
Sulfites have two main roles in oenology :
- They serve as natural preservatives. Sulfur dioxide indeed prevents wine from oxidizing. Without sulfites, your favorite vintages would lose their freshness more quickly and could change color or, worse yet, become maderized.
- They have an antiseptic function. Sulfites indeed help prevent the development of unwanted microorganisms such as certain bacteria or yeasts, like the famous Brettanomyces that can give wine stable or horse-like aromas.Unappetizing, isn't it?
Therefore, to ensure better preservation of your bottles and allow for some longevity in the cellar, almost all winemakers choose to add sulfites to their wines. However, as we will see, different schools of thought exist...
How to check the sulfite levels in wines?
Are you concerned about knowing the sulfite content of the wines you consume? The first step is to carefully read the bottle's label.
Since 2005, any wine containing more than 10 mg/L of sulfites must bear the mention " contains sulfites " to inform consumers.This mention, however, will not indicate any specific quantity.
If you come across the mention " without added sulfites ", it means that no sulfites have been added by the winemaker to the wine. Nevertheless, as already noted, very (very) small amounts will always be naturally present.
And... that's it! Beyond these two mentions, there is indeed no way for the end consumer to know the exact sulfite content in a wine. A certain opacity indeed prevails in the wine industry regarding the additives used. Ideally, you will need to communicate directly with the producer to understand their practices or with your wine merchant who can provide information.
However, keep in mind that some wines generally have more added sulfites than others. For instance, sweet wines potentially contain the most sulfur dioxide. Next are white and rosé wines, followed by red wines. The latter are indeed naturally protected from oxidation by their tannins and therefore require less protection.
If you are particularly sensitive to sulfites, organic, biodynamic, and natural wines can also be a good alternative. These certified wines indeed have stricter criteria regarding the use of SO2.To learn all about this topic, feel free to read our article on the differences between conventional, organic, biodynamic, and natural wines !
A brief summary of additives and permitted sulfite levels according to the type of viticulture
What are the health effects of sulfites ?
The issue of sulfites is often linked to health concerns. Some of you may have already experienced symptoms such as headaches, itching, or redness after drinking wine. These reactions may be due to an intolerance or, more rarely, an allergy to sulfites.
However, it is important to note that sulfite intolerances are rare. Only certain individuals, particularly those with asthma, are especially sensitive to these compounds. For the vast majority of consumers, the sulfites present in wine do not pose serious health risks, and the false shortcut " sulfites = headaches " is too often made.
Indeed, it is essential to understand that headaches are more often due to dehydration from alcohol consumption than to the presence of sulfites ! Moreover, if in the 70s or 80s, winemakers could sometimes overuse sulfur dioxide, this is no longer the case today, and the average doses used in the industry have drastically decreased !
Wines without sulfites, is it possible?
But then, is it really possible to drink a wine completely without sulfites? The answer is no ! As mentioned earlier, sulfites form naturally during fermentation. However, it is possible to produce wines without added sulfites, and more and more winemakers are venturing into this.
For example, one might consider the cuvée " Les Pouliches " from domaine Cheveau in AOC Beaujolais-Villages or the delicious Pét’ Nat " from domaine Albert de Conti in Bergerac.
It is important to note that producing wines without added sulfites requires a great deal of expertise from the winemaker. Without the safety net of sulfites, the wine becomes more vulnerable to imperfections and must be closely monitored. It is a challenge that some winemakers take on with passion, offering unique wines that faithfully reflect their terroir.
If you are curious to discover wines with little or no added sulfites, or if you wish to explore a selection of organic or biodynamic wines, feel free to visit our website lacave-éclairée.fr ! You will find a wide range of carefully selected bottles to satisfy all your tasting desires. Cheers!
