WHAT ARE SULFITES IN WINE?

Why Are Sulfites Added to Wine?

Sulfites serve three important roles:

Preservative: Prevents wine from turning brown or tasting stale; Keeps wine fresh over time

Antimicrobial: Stops unwanted bacteria and wild yeasts; Helps maintain the intended flavor

Antioxidant: Slows oxygen reactions; Extends the shelf life and stability

Without sulfites, most wines would spoil quickly.

Do Wines Naturally Contain Sulfites?

Yes. Even if winemakers add zero sulfites, yeast fermentation naturally produces 5–40 ppm (parts per million).
So, there is no such thing as 100% sulfite-free wine.

How Much Sulfite Is Typically in Wine?

Approximate levels:

So, wine actually contains far fewer sulfites than many everyday foods.

Do Sulfites Cause Headaches?

For most people, no.
The idea that sulfites cause wine headaches is mostly a myth.

• Only ~1% of the population is truly sensitive to sulfites — usually people with asthma.
• Red wine headaches are more often caused by:
• Tannins
• Histamines
• Alcohol & dehydration

If someone gets headaches from wine but can eat dried fruit, sulfites are not the issue.

What About "No Sulfite Added" or Natural Wines?

Some wines are made with minimal or no added sulfites. These wines:

• Can be beautiful and expressive, but
• Are usually more fragile, meaning they:
• Spoil faster,
• May be cloudy,
• Can develop funky flavors.

They're great if you enjoy more rustic, natural wine styles.

Bottom Line

• Sulfites are safe, widely used, and naturally present in wine.
• They protect the wine, keeping it stable and enjoyable.
• Only a small percentage of people are actually sensitive to them.

So, sulfites are not the enemy — they’re one of the tools that helps wine taste like wine.