Organic Wines for the Sulfite Allergic

Filed in archive Food Allergies , Other Allergies on January 22, 2007

Allergic to wines? There are several components in wine which can possibly trigger allergy symptoms, such as egg whites and isinglass. For others, it's the sulfite content that triggers rashes, hives and other symptoms.

Sulfites are added to wines as a preservative, and the amount of sulfite in wines may differ. Although they are not sulfite-free, organic wines may be a good choice for those with slight sensitivities to sulfite.

Organic wine doesn't necessarily mean "sulfite free," a tidbit of information extremely important to those sensitive to even the most minute levels of sulfites. In fact, wines are rarely sulfite-free; sulfites occur naturally in wine. However, conventional wines go above and beyond the naturally occurring sulfites, adding many more sulfites to their finished product. Organic wine [producers], on the other hand, tend to believe that the naturally occurring sulfites are enough - they don't want to compound the situation.

Remember though that if you are highly sensitive to sulfites, skip the idea. Better be a teetotaler than ending up in the emrgency room.