Many wine-lovers or potential wine-lovers are torn between their comfort and their love of a nice glass of wine. They are plagued with terrible headaches and indigestion after as little as a few sips. The root of the problem: sulfates.
It is important to first clarify a common error. Sulfa and sulfites are different. For those who are allergic to sulfa-based drugs, you can still drink wine without an allergic reaction. That is, of course, unless you happen to be allergic to sulfites.
The sulfites in wine are to help it maintain its taste and last for years. Some people may experience some unpleasant indigestion issues stemming from the consumption of foods and beverages that contain sulfites.
You may also find sulfites in bags of potato chips and foods that are meant to be stored on a shelf for quite a while. It is a preservative, but can cause dehydration, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Studies have shown that those who suffer from asthma may find that products containing sulfites may induce asthma issues if the sulfites are in a form that can be inhaled.
Wine-lovers may find their sulfite intolerance to be highly inconvenient. Many American wines contain sulfites. Those that do not are not only difficult to find, but are meant to be consumed in a relatively short amount of time. Without the preservatives, wine cannot sit on a shelf for many years nor in a wine cellar.
One company, Frey Wine, offers organic sulfite-free wine that also supports sustainability. If you are sensitive to sulfites but love wine, your only option may be to say good bye to your wine cellar and drink only sulfite-free wine.
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