Are you searching for wine with low sulfites or no added sulfites? Many people find that they have sensitivities to sulfites, whether due to high levels of histamine in the body or having asthma, and have discovered that drinking wine with low sulfites is a much better option for them, especially because this makes it so they do not have to give up drinking wine altogether.

But… How can you tell which wines are lowest in sulfites? How do you know whether or not a wine has extra, added sulfites?

Every single bottle of wine will say “Contains Sulfites” on the label, and that is because every single wine has sulfites. Sulfites (sulfur dioxide) is a chemical compound, most commonly known for being added to food and beverage products as a preservative to extend shelf life, prevent spoilage or bacteria from growing, and enhance flavors.

Which foods contain Sulfites? Are they Natural?

But sulfites are also produced naturally in some products. Eggs, fruit, and fermented products all have naturally occurring sulfites — and as you know from all of our blog posts discussing the wine making process, wine is a fermented product. So, if you ever see a wine boasting that it is sulfite-free, this is just simply not true. All wines have natural sulfites to some degree. The tricky part is figuring out which wines have the least amount of naturally occurring sulfites, and which wines contain added sulfites.

Many wine producers add extra sulfites to the wine in order to keep it fresh for a longer period of time, and decrease the risk for bacterial growth or spoilage due to oxidation. Oxidation happens when too much oxygen is released into the wine and causes it to go bad. If you have ever experienced oxidized wine, it is not pleasant!

Commercial Wines use *ADDED* Sulfites as a Preservative

These producers also add extra sulfites to save time during the fermentation process. A short fermentation process will produce wines that won’t last for much longer than a few weeks, which is why it is necessary to add sulfites. When the wine is put through a longer fermentation process, there is enough time for it to produce enough natural sulfites to keep it stable for a longer period of time. However, it is important to remember that while it can remain stable for a longer amount of time while still corked, once you’ve opened a bottle of a wine without any added sulfites, it’s highly recommended to drink it within a few days.

There are cases when those added sulfites that enhance freshness are helpful. For example, large companies and brands that are mass producing wine to ship all over the world. When you are producing that much wine, you do not want to risk it going bad so quickly, so added sulfites are needed to extend the shelf life of the product. The added sulfites are good for the brand, the distributors, and the retailers all making money off of the product — but not so much for the consumer, especially the consumer with a sensitivity to sulfites.

SYLTBAR is a great option for low sulfite wines 

Other wine producers, such as SYLTBAR’s producer San Simone, care deeply about the integrity of their wines and providing their customers with the best wine experience. This is why SYLTBAR wines will never have any added sulfites because they go through a longer fermentation process to produce just the right amount of natural sulfites needed. The only sulfites in SYLTBAR wine are the ones developed naturally from the grapes during the fermentation process. The average amount of sulfites in SYLTBAR is around 25ppm, whereas the average amount in commercial wines is about 150ppm!

In addition to never adding extra sulfites, SYLTBAR also always shows the fill date on the bottle label, so you will always know just how fresh the wine you’re drinking really is. This is possible because our winemakers do not produce in large quantities. Less quantities mean more quality control!

If you are concerned about which wine has the least amount of sulfites, consider SYLTBAR. Our entire line of wines are not only low in sulfites, but they are low in sugar content as well. SYLTBAR’s promise to you is that you will always have high quality, naturally produced wine with nothing added and nothing removed.

Whether you are a Prosecco or Sparkling Rosé fan, or prefer still white or red wine, SYLTBAR has you covered with all the low-sulfite options you need. Visit our online store to shop for low-sulfite wine, or find local retail shops and restaurants that carry SYLTBAR.