What Are Sulphites in Wine?

You've almost certainly seen 'contains sulphites' on a bottle of wine and wondered what it means. Sulphites are one of the most common additives in food and drink — and understanding their role in wine helps you make smarter choices, especially if you're sensitive to them.

What are sulphites?

Sulphites is the collective term for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and related compounds including sodium or potassium metabisulphite. They occur naturally in small quantities during fermentation — all wine contains some naturally occurring sulphites as a fermentation by-product. Winemakers may also add sulphites to improve shelf life, prevent oxidation, stop browning, and maintain freshness and flavour stability over time. Sulphites are particularly important in aged wines, which wouldn't be drinkable without some level of preservation.

EU labelling law requires wine to declare sulphite content if it exceeds 10mg per litre — which is why 'contains sulphites' appears on almost every wine label.

Are sulphites harmful?

For the vast majority of people, no. Sulphites are harmless and have been used safely in food and drink production for centuries. However, around 1% of the population — and up to 10% of people with asthma — are sensitive to sulphites, potentially experiencing symptoms including hives, nasal congestion, coughing, and in severe cases difficulty breathing or asthma attacks.

The commonly held belief that sulphites cause wine headaches is not well supported by evidence. Red wine contains far less sulphite than many preserved foods, and many headache triggers in wine are more likely related to alcohol, histamines, or tannins. That said, if you notice consistent reactions specifically to wine, a sulphite sensitivity is worth investigating with your GP.

Which wines are lowest in sulphites?

Organic wines are required to use less added sulphur than conventional wines. 'No added sulphur' wines contain only naturally occurring sulphites from fermentation — typically well below the 10mg/litre threshold for mandatory labelling. The Running Duck range from Stellar Organics in South Africa represents the world's leading no-added-sulphur winemaking — full-strength, dry, and completely free from added sulphur.

Low sulphite wine at DrinkWell

• Running Duck Organic Shiraz — no added sulphur, certified organic, vegan, 90 kcal, 0g sugar, 13.5% ABV, £12.49
• Running Duck Organic Merlot — no added sulphur, certified organic, vegan, 88 kcal, 0g sugar, 13.5% ABV, £12.49

Shop at DrinkWell

• Low calorie organic wine collection
• Zero sugar wine — confirmed 0g per serving

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