If you look at the label on a bottle of wine, you may see that it says that there are sulfites in it. Others say that they don’t contain sulfites. However, what are they?
Wine sulfites are naturally occurring products that are created during fermentation. However, many winemakers will add sulfites to wine to preserve the color, flavor, and characterization of the wine. Sulfites also help to prevent oxidation and the wine from turning into vinegar. However, many people are allergic to them, with symptoms including nasal congestion and headaches. So, is there a way to remove sulfites from wine so that you can enjoy it without side effects? The simple answer is yes. There are quite a few methods you can use, and we’ll go through them in this article.
1 – Hydrogen Peroxide
This is a very popular method of removing sulfites from wine but you do need to be careful and follow the instructions to the letter, otherwise, you could end up with sulfuric acid in your wine and this is a dangerous substance.
The ratio for this solution is ¼ teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 80 mg/L of sulfites in a bottle of wine.
The components in hydrogen peroxide react with the sulfites and oxidize them, creating hydrogen sulfate.
2 – Sulfite Remover Drop
This is an easy solution for removing sulfites and they aren’t difficult to purchase. They generally contain hydrogen peroxide, egg whites, and sunflower lecithin. The drops not only neutralize the sulfites in the wine but they reduce tannins, making the wine smoother.
You only need to add a few drops to your glass of wine. It comes in a compact container so you can carry it with you if you are out for a meal or a drink.
The great thing about this method of removing sulfites is that it doesn’t change the flavor of the wine. If you want a fruity wine, you will still have a fruity taste. The same goes if you want a spicy wine or a floral wine.
It may seem expensive to purchase but as you only need to use a little each time you have a glass of wine, it works out economical in the end.
3 – Wine Sensitive Filter Sulfite Remover
This method can only be used at home as you have to pass the wine from a bottle through the filter into a decanter. The filters generally only contain organic ingredients so are good for those who don’t want to add chemicals to their wine.
Like the drops, the filter doesn’t change the flavor of the wine so if you want a full-bodied wine, you will have one. If you want a sweet dessert wine, that’s what you will get.
The packs are reasonably priced and one filter will get rid of the sulfites in a bottle of wine. It only takes around five minutes.
The Wine Sensitive Filter Sulfite Remover is very popular in Europe but there is no reason why it can’t be used the world over.
4 – Ullo Wine Purifier
Ullo has two types of wine sulfite cleaners, one is the original and the other is called The Chill. The Chill reduces the temperature of your wine as you pour it which is a great innovation.
The design of both is simple. They fit into any wine glass and all you do is pour the wine through the wine purifier. As well as removing the sulfites, it aerates the wine which brings out the aromas and flavors.
The Ullo Wine Purifier is an excellent gadget as it only takes out the sulfites and leaves everything else in the wine. Even top-notch wines taste better after using this purifier.
5 – The Wand: Wine Purifier & Sulfite Remover
If you want to purify your wine quickly, The Wand is for you. It only takes three minutes to work.
All you need to do is put The Wand in your glass of wine and stir the wine as you would a cup of coffee or tea. The filter in the wine catches the sulfites and other impurities, such as histamines, and you can see the chemicals that The Wand has filtered. It becomes dark and when the three minutes are up, you can remove the wand.
The great thing about The Wand is that it is organic so does not contain any harmful chemicals. What could be better than that? In addition, it doesn’t change the flavor or aroma of your wine. Instead, it enhances both. You will be able to taste the wine as the winemaker intended without the bitter taste that sulfites create.
It is important that you only use The Wand once and then throw it away otherwise it could cross-contaminate the next glass of wine.
The Wand is attractive so can be carried with you to a restaurant or bar. It will cause interest among your friends and they might want to buy The Wand themselves.
6 – Zortung Wine Aerator
The Zortung Wine Aerator is a great investment as it can be used again and again. In addition to filtering wine, you can use it to remove impurities from water.
The Zortung Wine Aerator has two processes to ensure that your wine is completely cleared of sulfites. The wine first passes through a very dense filter which both removes the residue in the wine and makes the wine smoother, with softer tannins, The wine then goes through a one sec wind eye that stirs the wine. By doing this, it removes the sulfites, making the wine well-rounded. You will find that the wine tastes much better after using the filter, even if it is an expensive bottle.
7 – The Wave by Pure Wine: Wine Aerator & Filter
The Wave is the perfect product to carry with you if you are going out for a drink. However, it only fits in a bottle of wine, not a glass. It will filter and aerate a whole bottle of wine, but after this, it needs to be disposed of. It is made from earth-friendly and bio-renewable plastics and can be thrown away in household waste.
Despite removing the sulfites and any other impurities, it retains the flavor, color, and aroma of the wine. It also removes histamines so no more headaches or sensitivities. The great thing is that it doesn’t use any harmful chemicals to remove the sulfites so it is completely healthy.
Another use for The Wave is to refresh an opened bottle of wine that has become oxidized. It restores the wine to its natural state.
8 – Vinoli Wine Aerator
This wine aerator is the most cost-effective because you don’t have to buy refills. However, it is bulky so you might not want to take it to a restaurant. It’s best used at home.
The Vinoli Wine Aerator is made out of glass with an acrylic pouring spout that doesn’t change the taste of the wine. You can use it to either pour the wine into a glass or the whole bottle into a carafe or decanter.
The Vinvoli Wine Aerator first oxygenates the wine and opens up the aromas, enhancing the taste of the wine. It then gets rid of the sulfites and softens the tannins. It gets rid of any bitterness in the wine, making the drink a delightful experience.
The aerator is easy to clean and comes with a metal wine strainer which filters the sediment out of the wine.
9 – Make Your Own Wine
One of the easiest ways to regulate the number of sulfites in your wine is to make your own wine. It’s not too difficult to learn how to do this.
Some wineries use sulfites in their winemaking process to remove microbes and bacteria. You can omit this and then follow a series of measures. Make sure that the grapes are as clean as possible as this helps to minimize microbes. While the wine is fermenting, ensure that the grapes aren’t in contact with too much oxygen, and finally, use good yeast for the fermentation as this will stop organisms from forming.
When bottling your wine, make sure that you minimize contact with oxygen as this can create sulfites. The way to do this is to gas your bottles with CO2 or carbon dioxide. It is also a good idea to keep the pH levels low. The lower the pH, the higher the acidity in the wine. Bacteria don’t like living in these conditions so the sulfites will be eradicated. Young, unripe, grapes have the highest acidic levels so they are the best to use to make your wine.
Summary
You can’t avoid sulfites but you can reduce them. Sulfites occur naturally in the fermentation process and some winemakers add them to change the taste and aroma of the wine. If you want the natural taste of the wine, then use one of the many devices we have mentioned. Some are only designed to be used at home but others can be taken with you to bars and restaurants. The best ones to take out with you are the sulfite remover drops as all you have to do is add a few drops of the liquid to your glass of wine. When it comes to using one at home, we suggest you purchase the Zortung Wine Aerator as it is the most economical and can be used time and time again after a simple cleaning operation. Of course, you can make your own wine a nd then you have complete control over the sulfites.
To sum up, any of these ways remove as many sulfites as possible from your wine while maintaining the flavor, aroma, and color. Some even make the wine taste better.
