Sulfites Allergy and Diabetes

Hello,

I am trying to obtain as much information as I can in reference to organic wine and sulfites. I am a diabetic and I am also allergic to sulfites. I have not been able to get any sound information on the subject. I would like to know if organic wine has any of it's own natural sulfites. It would be great to have an occasional glass of wine but I am afraid to attempt it until I can get a better definition about the sulfites. I am allergic to sulfur in medication which is how I found out that was my problem with having alcoholic drinks. I look forward to hearing from you. And thank you for your time.

CR

Hi there,

You can find some information on sulfites in our own website
http://www.theorganicwinecompany.com/sulfites.php
or in the attachment provided. Other organic wine websites provide useful information too if you search through Google.
It's all a matter of balance and sensitivity so it is impossible to know in advance what can be your response but I know from experience that most of the sensitive people who contact us and try our wines are very happy to discover that they can enjoy them without any negative side effects.
In most cases, other less known or talked about chemicals are involved. Our wines still use a certain amount of sulfites for stability but in such dosage and balance that they are perfectly accepted. I can only wish it would be the same experience for you! You need to give it a (prudent) try!

2007 could then be indeed a very Happy New Year!

Dr Mic

Please make wine without alcohol in it. The type of alcohol is Ethanol and is a carcinogen. It causes cancer. It destroys good bacteria and enzymes in the digestive tract. It is addictive and does not promote a healthy lifestyle. While there are great qualities about wine, leave the ethanol out of it. It can be done.
Thanks
David

Hello David,

Thank you for your concern. First of all, even though I have been a winemaker myself, I am not involved in that part any longer. Secondly, there have been numerous attempts to make wine without alcohol, which actually means that it has to be taken out at the end of the process since there would be no wine without alcohol! The results have been consistently bad apart from one notable exception, giving people no incentive to explore the idea further. Lastly, your note on ethanol probably refers to studies made on the isolated product, ignoring the fact that there are hundreds of components in a wine that act in synergy and allow its digestion by normally healthy people provided that the quantities involve do not exceed those that the digestive tract can process per unit of time. Same thing applies with animal products, fats etc. Long term studies on large groups of people have shown the positive effects on overall health of the regular consumption of small quantities of wines by men and women alike (1 to 2 glasses per day depending of body mass).
Beware of scientific conclusions drawn from one study to another field without considering the context! In this example a few thousands of years of experience with a product have more weight than a study on an isolated part of it.

Best regards

DrMic

What is the typical alcohol content of organic wine. I am considering ordering the Chateau Bousquette 2001. I am not very familiar with organic wines but am interested in learning more.

Thanks

Cathy

Hello Cathy,

You can find the alcohol content of each wine in the Product Detail page accessible by clicking on each label or link (on the left side) of the shopping cart.
Most of our wines contain 12.5% alcohol which is kind of ideal. The difference is not due to organic growing but to the climate/soil combination between Europe and most of the US. Domestic wines and particularly Californian easily reach 14% if not 15%, which is not necessary nor desirable for the wine nor the drinker!

DrMic

Hello,

on the last order I received the bottle of "NV Cartagene Prestige Vin de liqueur Bourguet" The cork was half way out (from pressure?) when I opened the box and some had spilled onto the other bottles and box. The other two bottles were perfect, just sticky. Please let me know, I assume I should not drink it.... What is the situation?

Thanks,

Marty

Hi Marty,

This is not an unusual situation in hot temperature weather. The wine simply expands and if there is little air space between the wine and the cork (which depends on the bottle format, the cork and the bottling) the pressure pushes the cork out. There is usually no bad consequence for the wine unless, of course, the cork has gone out completely! In the case of the Cartagene particularly, since there is a higher alcohol content, I would not worry at all, it should be as good as new!

DrMic
Organic WIne Company

From: Robyn Garside Sunday, May 21, 2006
Subject: Shelf LIfe

Hi, Can you please let me know what is the shelf life of organic wine? And is there a preferred way to store the wine to maximise shelf life.
Thanks for your help.
Robyn Garside

PS. We really enjoyed our sample bottles of wine! Looking forward to receiving our next shipment.

A:
There is no real difference between conventional and organic wine regarding their shelf like as long as they contain some added sulfites. Look in the Details of each Product on the website where I indicate the probable best time to consume each wine.
The type and style of wine, the varietal and vintage are more important factors in deciding when is the best time to drink a wine.
After opening the bottle though, a wine stopper which allows you to pump the air out will extend the consumption for a few days.
Another option is to use a few puffs of Nitrogen, a neutral gas that you can purchase in canisters in any decent wine store.
This will prevent the oxidation by separating the liquid from the oxygen in the air and can theoretically extend the life of the wine… for a long time. Putting the bottle in a cool place is fine, but the fridge will tend to flatten the remaining flavors! I personally keep my bottles in sight and I never throw away any for turning bad (I may do if I don’t like the wine though!)

DrMic
Customer Care
Organic WIne Company