Sulfur and Wine: Why It Matters

Sulfur is a natural by-product of the wine making process and, as a result, there will always be around three to six parts per million (ppm) of naturally occurring sulfur in a wine.  Today, wine makers often elect to add sulfur for a variety of reasons throughout the wine making process whether it be in the vineyard, in the wine room or in the cellar.Sustainable wines from Formaggio Kitchen

Why do wine makers add more sulfur? In the vineyard, sulfur can be used to combat pests and diseases.  After harvest, it can be used to ensure a predictable fermentation or prolong the time before vinification by killing any yeasts or microbial life on the skins of the grapes.  In the wine cellar, sulfur is commonly used to clean barrels and fermentation vats in preparation for harvest.  It can be used in the cellar at the time of bottling (especially for export wines) to maintain a wine’s color and protect it from re-fermentation which produces a spritzy sensation on the palate.

How much sulfur are we talking about? In the European Union, the maximum sulfite level for certified biodynamic red wine is 60 ppm while the certified organic designation for red wine is limited to 90 ppm.  White wines in both categories allow slightly higher levels.  For conventional wines, the EU allows 160 ppm for red, 210 ppm for whites and rosés and 400 ppm for sweet wines.  In the U.S., the limit is 350 ppm.

So, why does the level of sulfur matter? The common perception is that sulfites in wine (especially red wine) contribute to headaches.  In fact, sulfites have been shown to affect a limited population of people (less than 1% of the population) with allergies to sulfites or asthmatic conditions.  In addition, red wine tends to have the lowest level of sulfites amongst the wine styles.  So, while many people do get headaches after drinking wine it appears unlikely that sulfites are the reason – or at least it’s unlikely they are the only reason.  Even if sulfites are innocent in this regard, we find other good reasons to seek out wines that are lower in sulfites.

At Formaggio Kitchen, we are particularly interested in wines that are produced using traditional and sustainable methods with minimal manipulation.  In our experience, wines that are low in sulfites are generally less manipulated wines and demand an ecologically healthy vineyard and a clean wine making process from start to finish.  In addition, wines without sulfur are often more emphatic on the nose and palate, offering a vibrancy and purity that is very exciting for any wine drinker.  One could say that sulfur-free wines have an unadulterated sense of terroir, the viticultural equivalent to raw-milk cheese!

One last thing… Sulfites can add a perceptible aroma at levels of 40ppm and above.  If you get a smell of burnt match in your glass, sulfur has likely been added to the wine.

Next time you stop by the shop, be sure to ask about wines that are low in sulfur!