When it comes to enjoying a glass of wine, there's an entire world waiting to be explored. However, for those of us who are sensitive to sulfites or just don’t want to drink wine with extra chemicals or additives, the pleasure that comes with the wine drinking experience can often be tainted by unpleasant reactions.
But don’t worry — there is a solution that allows you to savor the nuances of fine wines without the worry of sulfite-induced side effects
The Lowdown on Sulfites
Sulfites, also known as sulfur dioxide, are a common preservative used in winemaking to maintain the wine's freshness and prevent oxidation. Sulfites are naturally found in wine, but in the case of big box companies that produce in bulk for large distribution, additional sulfites are put into the wine to extend its shelf life. This ensures that the wine still tastes good even after traveling all over the world, and being in warehouses or retail shelves for a long period of time.
While sulfites do serve a vital role in ensuring wine stability and keeping wines from spoiling and or being affected by bacteria, they can also trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. These reactions may include headaches, skin rashes, and breathing difficulties, which can put a damper on your wine-tasting experience.
Some wine drinkers believe that added sulfites contribute to hangover symptoms, and report that when they drink wines with low or no added sulfites, they feel much better the morning after imbibing. Granted, there are many factors that can contribute to a hangover, such as the wine’s sugar level, not being properly hydrated, mixing different types of drinks, making poor food choices and not getting enough sleep — but it is common to hear this from wine drinkers about sulfites very often.
Benefits of Low Sulfite Wines
Don’t let yourself be fooled by wine companies that say “no sulfites” on the bottle — these are not healthier than a wine that does have sulfites. Wine will always have some amount of natural sulfites. This is because the soil naturally contains sulfites. It’s all part of Mother Nature. Yes, it is true you can filter out the natural sulfites from the soil, but it requires certain chemicals to do this.
Our winery believes in keeping things natural, which means that they keep the sulfites as protection for the wine. They skip the additional process to clean out the sulfites with chemicals and choose not to produce in bulk. When producers make wine in large quantities to reduce their production cost, additional sulfites are required to extend the shelf life. Our winery only produces in small quantities which allows them to preserve the wine with its natural given sulfites. These protect the SYLTBAR wine during its line span. When it comes to shelf life, you will never find a bottle of SYLTBAR wine on the market that is more than a year-and-a-half old, compared to other wines that stay on the shelves for 3-4 years.
Sulfites are an inevitable part of the fermentation process and is necessary for wine safety. As you can see, for a wine to be entirely sulfite-free wine, there would have to be some form of chemical intervention, which means the wine is no longer naturally produced and you will absolutely be drinking a wine with chemical additives.
What you want to look for on the bottle of wine is “no added sulfites” or “low sulfites.” You may have to do your own research to find out if there are added sulfites because there is no regulation that forces wine brands to put this on the label — but it also may be hard to find that information about most wines. Not all brands are transparent the way SYLTBAR is. One thing we will always guarantee our customers is that SYLTBAR wines — both sparkling and fine wines — have nothing added and nothing removed. There will never be any chemicals or additives in SYLTBAR. Our wines also always have the fill date on the bottles, so you know you’re getting the freshest juice.
SYLTBAR wines contain around 25ppm, compared to most commercial brands that contain around 150ppm (the legal limit in the US is 350ppm.)
Some of the main benefits of drinking our SYLTBAR fine wine with low sulfites include:
- Healthier Enjoyment: Low sulfite wines are the top choice for those with sulfite sensitivities. By choosing wines that do not have any added sulfites, you can enjoy your wine without the fear of adverse reactions.
- Enhanced Flavor Profiles: Lower sulfite levels can also lead to more expressive and complex flavor profiles in wines. You'll be able to savor the true essence of the grapes and the unique characteristics of each vintage. This is because the grapes have been given enough time to fully develop their flavors and aromas, and you are getting the purest and most delicious juice.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Many winemakers who produce low sulfite wines also tend to embrace sustainable and organic practices, contributing to a healthier environment. This means you can enjoy your favorite wines with a clearer conscience. Our wine producers in Fruili, Italy believe in a commitment to nature. You will find the Green Project certification on the label of each of our bottles. This is a step above organic, referring to a system of farming that works with the life force of Mother Nature to heal the earth by growing with nutrients and using clean water.
Where to Find Low Sulfite Wines
You may be able to find a variety of low-sulfite wines in specialty wine shops or local wineries, but we stress the importance of doing your research because taking the information on a label at face value. Like we mentioned earlier, many brands may try to trick you with their “no sulfites” label — but that really means there are added chemicals to the wine in order to rid it from the sulfites.
Stick with SYLTBAR and you know what you have in your wine glass. Just be aware that because of the fact that fine wines do not have any added sulfites, we recommend drinking them within 2 days of opening the bottle.
You can shop for our line of sophisticated fine wines online:
- White Linen Pinot Grigio 2020
- Silk Friulano 2021
- Junior Pinot Grigio Ramato 2021
- Cashmere Cabernet France 2020
We also offer a fine wine sampler that includes one bottle of each, so you can try them all. This bundle also saves you $10 and you get complimentary shipping.
Fine wines with low sulfites open up a world of possibilities for wine enthusiasts who may have experienced discomfort with traditional wines. These fine wines from SYLTBAR with low sulfites open up a world of possibilities for wine enthusiasts who may have experienced discomfort with traditional wines. These wines not only offer a healthier alternative, but also provide the 100% natural taste of the grape itself.
Low sulfite wines offer a gateway to a broader spectrum of wine flavors, allowing you to savor the authentic essence of the grape. Dive into this fascinating journey where science meets pleasure.