Sulfites

[Gibby]

I am wanting to start drinking wine to promote cardiovascular health but I am concerned about the intake of sulfites. I also want to enjoy wine for the pleasure of it since I am currently a beer drinker but have grown tired of the taste. I have tried organics that have lower sulfite levels but have found them to be pricey. I would like to know if there is a good tasting wine, low in sulfites and economically sound. Thank you.

[hades_ibex]

As a rule, dry red wines will contain the least amount of sulfites since more sulfite is required in sweet wines and in wines with little tannin.

Incidentally many people who report headaches from red wine blame the sulfites. Yet they don't get the same reaction from a sweet white.

[hotwine]

Welcome to the board, Gibby. Suggest you use our search function (under "Post Reply") and search on the word sulfites. You'll turn up a number of threads in which that subject has been discussed. If you wish to see a doctor's perspective, add the username bucko to your search criteria - he's a practicing MD and has expounded on the subject several times over the past 3-4 years.

[Thomas]

Gibby: all things fermented contain sulfites; that includes cheese, bread, yogurt, et al.

Also, the word organic is often used either too loosely or for marketing purposes. Sulfur dioxide (the gas for sulfites) is an organic compound--anything carbon based is organic. Most wines produced "organically" refer to the grape growing process, where pesticides and fungicides are frowned upon.

As for Government regulations and sulfites: they allow that a wine producer need not post the scary government warning--Contains Sulfites--unless the wine contains 20 parts per million or more. So-called organic wines often contain sulfites, just less than 20 ppm.

As for health aspects, hotwine makes a good suggestion. This subject has been covered over and over and over; it seems, however, no matter how much it is covered, confusion persists.

[Gibby]

Thanks everyone for the info. I looked at all the back postings and got a lot of good stuff. I don't think I will worry about sulfites too much. The concern I heard was from Dr. Weir (?) saying sulfites in large amounts caused stomach cancer. I don't think it could be traced to just the wine though. I don't know. I'm just going to drink my wine and be happy! Thanks for your help.