Sulphur Dioxide and Wine Making Practices in Hunter Valley
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Did you know that Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region in Australia? Not only this, it is the best winemaker in the region. The valley has given many award-winning wines to make you fall in love with the wineries. However, it is a common question asked by our (Hunter Valley Tours) guides is the role of Sulphur Dioxide and wine making. So, read this article to know more about sulphur dioxide and winemaking in the Hunter Valley, let’s dive into it.
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Why do wineries add Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)?
The most fundamental ingredient wineries use to make wines is sulfur dioxide. Due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, it is used to preserve wines. However, no wine can be entirely sulphur-free because even the skin of grapes contains little amount of sulphur. Sulphur also prevents the wine from reacting with oxygen, leading to oxidation and browning of wine.
Are Sulphites in wine harmful?
Although many consider Sulphites to be extremely important for the quality of wine, there have been some wineries that consider abandoning their use. So, are Sulphites in wine harmful? Let’s find out!!
As per Food and drug administration, 1% of the population is sensitive to Sulphites. Most of them have asthma. On the other hand, most people have consumed sulphite with no side effects. However, some people suffer from common side effects, including headaches, diarrhoea, and hives.
Since the main purpose of Sulphite is taste, fragrance, and preservation of wines, it is important to add it. You would hardly find any Sulphur-free wines. But if you are allergic to it, you can go for red or white wine without Sulphur.
Is a certified organic wine a Sulphite-free wine?
As stated above, it is hard to find a Sulfur-free wine because it is the basic component during the fermentation process. If we talk about certified organic wine, there can be a difference in the usage of Sulphur levels in them. Nonetheless, you will still find a small amount of it in them.
First, what is a certified organic wine, and how is it different from regular wine? Organic grapes are used to make certified organic wines. No external chemicals are added to make this wine. The important point to note here is that if wine is completely made without adding any chemicals, why can’t it be completely Sulphur-free? Here’s the thing. Even if no Sulphur is added, the wine contains 10-40 ppm of natural Sulphites. This amount is nothing in comparison to the standard amount.
For this reason, we can say that certified organic wine contains extremely low amounts of Sulfur or no-Sulphur because this is almost nothing in comparison to classic wines.
Do you want to know what difference Sulphur can bring to wines? Let’s find out!!
Although sulphur-free wines are healthier, they don’t provide you with the pleasure you want from a wine. The taste is very much different in both wines.
The preserve-free organic wineries in Hunter Valley
Here are some best-preserved free organic wineries in hunter valley that you can’t even think to miss. You will find every type of wine, from pesticide-free wines to complete organic wines. Once you taste any wine from this place, you won’t even think of going anywhere else.
Tamburlaine Wines
It is the largest producer of organic wine in Australia. The wine is made with minimal use of Sulphur and is purely derived from plant-based fining agents. Their main philosophy is to cause minimal harm to the environment and leave the land sustainable for future generations. Following this ideology, they produce the best wine ever. Tamburlaine wines will give you extraordinary taste as it is vegan friendly with no Sulphur.
Macquariedale organic wines
This is the best natural wine you can find in the Hunter Valley. Did you know that Macquariedale organic wines are the first vineyard to receive full biodynamic certification in the Hunter Valley? The vineyard highly specializes in converting grapes into the most delicious wines. Besides being a sustainable vineyard, it is also eco-friendly.
Krinklewood wines
It is the most beautiful vineyard in the valley, with everything natural. Once you enter this heavenly place, you can get out of the aroma of grapes and wines. It is a completely sustainable ecosystem in itself. If you plan to visit the hunter valley, Krinklewood Vineyard should be your first and must-visit.
Ascella wines
You will get to see some best award-winning wines here. They aim to produce the highest quality and purest wine. The Ascella wines are a great combination of healthy choices and amazing taste. The production of wines is completely pesticides free, which helps preserve the environment.
Among all the varieties of wines available in the hunter valley, I find Broken Wood wines the best. If you are visiting the place, I would highly recommend trying it. If you are a die-hard oenophile, you would love the wine.
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