Wine without sulphites
Wine without sulphites is a widely searched term among wine lovers who consciously choose as pure a product as possible. Strictly speaking, almost every wine naturally contains a small amount of sulphite, because sulphur dioxide (SO2) is also formed during fermentation without being added. The difference lies in the distinction between naturally present and added sulphites.
Naturally present versus added sulphites
Sulphites are formed naturally when yeast converts sugars into alcohol. This spontaneous formation usually results in 10 to 40 milligrams per litre, depending on the grape variety, harvest and production method. For that reason, a label claiming “wine without sulphites” or “sulphite-free” may only be used in very specific cases.
Added sulphite, by contrast, is a preservative that the winemaker may use at various stages of production: to protect against oxidation, to stabilise colour and aroma, and to suppress unwanted bacteria or wild yeasts. In conventional wine, this addition is common practice and permitted up to certain maximum levels.
Maximum levels in the EU
European wine legislation sets strict limits for sulphite content. Examples of valid maximum levels include:
- Red wine: 150 mg/l (organic: 100 mg/l)
- White and rosé wine: 200 mg/l (organic: 150 mg/l)
- Sweet wine: up to 400 mg/l
In practice, organic and biodynamic winegrowers use considerably less sulphite than these maximum levels. Natural wine producers often go even further, deliberately choosing to use none at all or, at most, a very small correction just before bottling.
Why natural wine is often nearly sulphite-free
Natural wine follows the philosophy of “nothing added, nothing taken away”. In the cellar, no cultured yeasts, enzymes, acidity regulators or fining agents are used, and sulphite is avoided as much as possible. This requires greater expertise and an impeccably clean way of working, but it also produces a more expressive, unadulterated wine.
Please note: even natural wine may occasionally contain a minute amount of sulphite as a result of spontaneous fermentation. For people with a severe sulphite intolerance, it is advisable to check the label or consult the winemaker directly.
Discover low-sulphite wines from these producers
In the OrganicBioWines.eu catalogue, you will find organic, biodynamic and natural wine producers who generally take a very restrained approach to sulphite use:
Canada
- Domaine Bergeville
- Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards
- Okanagan Crush Pad / Haywire Winery
- Southbrook Vineyards
- Summerhill Pyramid Winery
- Vignoble Les Pervenches
Belgium
- Château de Bioul
- Domaine La Falize
- Domaine Viticole du Chenoy
- Domaine W
- Wijndomein Oud Conynsbergh
- Wijngoed De Vallei
- Domaine des Lowas
- Vignoble du Château de Bousval
- Domaine de Doriémont
- Vignoble Les Sarments
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
- Land en Boschzigt
- Wijngaard Dassemus
- De Wilde Wijngaard
- Wijngoed Wolf
- Chateau Amsterdam
- Domein Aldenborgh
- Wijndomein Oude Waalstroom
Portugal
- Aphros Wine
- Casa de Mouraz
- Herdade do Rocim
- Herdade dos Outeiros Altos
- Quinta da Palmirinha
- Quinta da Serradinha
- Quinta do Paço (Humus)
- Vale da Capucha
United Kingdom
- Ancre Hill Estates
- Davenport Vineyards
- Ham Street Wines
- Limeburn Hill Vineyard
- Offbeat Wines
- Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard
- Tillingham
Click on a producer to view their wine range. For each wine, you will find information about the vintage, grape varieties, flavour profile and alcohol percentage.
Would you like to learn more about natural wine in general? Then also visit our page Natural wines.