Do yo know what sulphite-free wines are?
por Eva Pizarro / sumiller
If you are a wine lover, you may have noticed that, in recent years, the word sulphites has become established as a concept linked to wines, but... do we really know what sulphites are?
Sulphur dioxide is a chemical preservative that has been added to many foods and drinks for a long time. It is not something recent or exclusively linked to wine.
The sulphites we are referring to, and which we see in wine as a kind of sediment or crystallite, are salts produced by combining the aforementioned sulphuric acid with other elements. You must know that it is not always added; during the winemaking process, sulphites can also be generated in a natural way.
What is true is that the use of sulphuric acid is usually linked to modern oenology, because in this way you can have more control during the whole process.
WHY DO WE USE THEM IN WINEMAKING?
Quite simply, it is a matter of colour. Sulphites are an antioxidant that help us to prevent loss of colour or degradation in wines. Sight plays a very important role, and a wine that has a colour that does not correspond to the established canons may easily be rejected.
IS IT NECESSARY TO USE SULPHITES FOR WINEMAKING?
Let's say that it is not essential; if we start from a healthy vineyard where no pesticides or chemical herbicides are used, it will not be so necessary because these grapes will arrive at the winery in perfect conditions. Furthermore, if the oenologist works carefully and under optimal hygiene conditions, it will be possible to work with low levels of sulphates or without them.
HOW DOES THE ADDITION OF SULPHUR AFFECT THE WINE?
In one way or another, it will always affect its flavours and aromas. A few years ago, the American market required the indication of “Contains sulphites” on wine labels. I’m sure you will have seen this at some time or another, because, as a result, the concept became widespread among consumers.
Today, most wineries work with low or no sulphuric acid content, and these parameters are regulated by health regulations.
Sulphite-free wines may be very different from one to another, but this is already part of their nature. Wine evolves and the beautiful thing about it is that each bottle represents a surprise.
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