Some wine drinkers are concerned about the sulfites that can be found in wine. They will look for wines like Italian Wines and other European wines that they think might not contain sulfites. But do these wines actually have fewer sulfites than domestic wines? Before actually answer that question, it’s important to know what sulfites are and why they are found in wine. Sulfites are actually salts that occur naturally and perform as preservatives and antioxidants in wine. Sulfites actually help to fight microorganisms such as bacteria that can grow inside wine bottles. They also prevent oxidation that can damage the quality of wine.
Although sulfites will naturally be formed in any beverage that is fermented, additional sulfites may be used by some wineries to help prevent grapes from succumbing to fungus. The sulfites can also help preserve grapes while the grapes are waiting to be turned into wine. Grapes have a tendency to spoil very quickly if they are not properly cared for. When it comes to sulfite content, white wines will usually contain more sulfites than red wines. As far as Italian Wines and domestic wines are concerned, there really isn’t any difference in the level of sulfites found within the wines. Shoppers buying from Townecellarswines.com and other places need to look at individual sulfite content rather than the wine’s origin.
So why are some people so concerned with sulfites? One of the main reasons is because some people assume sulfites are bad because they are pointed out on wine labels. Since companies have to legally let consumers know there are sulfites in wine, some people are naturally suspicious. In reality, the labeling is meant to inform people who might be allergic to sulfites. Sulfite labeling isn’t any different than a company labeling a package to inform about any other potential allergens. Less than one percent of the population is sensitive to sulfites.
If an individual is sensitive to sulfites, there may be respiratory complications, skin problems, and/or stomach issues. Some people wrongly mistake headaches for sensitivity to sulfites. People who think they are allergic to sulfites can see a doctor to confirm their suspicions.
