![]() ![]() All wine naturally contains some sulfites, whether it’s organic or not. In fact, many types of processed foods typically contain 10 times more sulfites than most wine does! ( 3)ĭo all wines contain sulfites? Yes, because grapes naturally have sulfites within their skins (so do other plants like onions and garlic) and because sulfites are a natural by-product of fermentation. Because they prolong the shelf-life of foods and drinks, sulfites are found in many, many processed foods, such as dried fruit, crackers, beer, juice, potato chips, processed meats, jams/jellies and coconut flakes. The term sulfites describes a number of sulfur compounds, especially sulfur dioxide (SO2), that are produced during fermentation and help to reduce bacteria and other microbes. Sulfites found in wine are used as stabilizers to preserve wine and prevent spoiling. Healthy soil and dirt that contains more beneficial organisms has more protection against mold and other harmful microbes, plus it leads to wines having more unique, complex and interesting tastes. Organic/some natural wines are produced with environment-friendly methods that lead to improved soil quality and better nutritional content. Organic farms that produce grapes for wine on the other hand must meet organic farming standards, meaning the grapes cannot be sprayed with chemical pesticides, insecticides or herbicides that can wind up in the wine. Standard wine can contain residual pesticides from grapes sprayed with various types of chemicals. The Wine Cool Direct website states that “Unlike the food industry, wine producers aren’t required by any governing body or law to list the actual ingredients that make it inside the bottle on the outside.” ( 2) This means that unbeknownst to consumers, ingredients commonly found in wine can include: preservatives, sulfur dioxide, calcium carbonate, oak chips, added flavors to enhance taste, non-vegan materials, and extra water to increase volume.īelow are 11 potential problems associated with standard/commercial (non-organic) wines: 1. Most people aren’t aware that the same types of concerns regarding the processed food industry, such as the use of GMOs, added sugar and other additives, also apply to the wine industry - which is why you want to look for organic wine. When wine is labeled organic by the USDA, it means that the entire production cycle - from grape in the field to wine in the bottle - has been done in a way that promotes ecological balance, conserves biodiversity, and uses unadulterated ingredients. Grapes that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program … grapes must be grown, handled and processed in accordance with uniform national standards. According to the Organic Vineyard Alliance, organic wine is made with This is why organic, natural wine producers are very small and only produce limited, sometimes difficult-to-find wines.ĭrinking organic wine, or better yet organic wine that is also produced using natural and bio-dynamic viticulture/farming practices, has certain advantages over drinking standard/conventional wine. The bottom line is that it’s impossible to make very large quantities of wine without the use of additives and chemicals (much like with farming and food production). Large-scale wine manufacturers want you to believe that you’re drinking wine made in a small farmhouse or chateau, when in fact you’re actually drinking wine ultimately produced in an industrial factory. are made from just three major wine conglomerates. In fact, some conventional wines can contain up to 70 added ingredients - including unnatural yeasts, preservatives, food dyes, residual pesticides, added sulfites, and sometimes added sugar.Ī little known fact is that 52 percent of all wines available in the U.S. That being said, while drinking wine (in moderation) may contribute to positive effects on your overall health, not all wine is created equal.Ĭontrary to what most people think, wine is made of much more than just grapes. Red wine, in particular, has been associated with many improved health outcomes, such as reduced risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease. ![]() If you’re someone who enjoys a glass of wine or two, you’ll be happy to know that research continues to show that wine drinkers reap certain health benefits. What to Look For in a Quality Organic Wine?.
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