Sulphites: what they are and why they are used in wine production

Anyone who has ever looked at a wine label will surely have noticed the words ‘contains sulphites’. But what exactly are sulphites, and why are they used in wine production? Sulphites are widely used in the food and beverage industry, including wines, to protect the product and preserve its characteristics over time. Sulphites act to maintain colour, prevent oxidation and prevent the formation of mould.

There are two types of sulphites: natural and added sulphites. Natural sulphites are formed during fermentation, when yeasts transform the sugar in the must into alcohol, spontaneously generating sulphites. Added sulphites, on the other hand, are incorporated at various stages of processing in the cellar to stabilise the wine.

The use of sulphites is regulated by the European Union, but it must be said that organic wines are distinguished by a more limited use of sulphites. Some go so far as to be ‘without added sulphites’, presenting only the natural ones generated by fermentation. And then there are ‘natural wines’, without added sulphites, respecting the purity of the product.

Making a wine without added sulphites is a real challenge. Perlage winery has achieved something extraordinary: since 2008 we create the first Prosecco DOCG without added sulphites in the world: Animae Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Animae is a sparkling wine that, with its authentic and natural flavour, is a tribute to tradition, a return to the origins, and at the same time a revolution in the world of wine.

Animae is not just a wine, it is an experience that tells of care for nature, love for authentic wine and respect for those who drink it. It is a promise of authenticity, an invitation to rediscover the pleasure of a wine that, in its purity, tells the story of the land and craftsmanship.

From there on, our research did not stop: Animae Cabernet Veneto IGT was born in 2016, the first red wine without added sulphites.

The Animae range represents for us a journey towards authenticity, respect for the environment and a passion for oenology that tastes of nature. A great achievement made of research and innovation. Each bottle is a hymn to purity and an expression of what we can achieve when we combine tradition, innovation and research. An experience that makes us proud and that, we are sure, will win anyone over, looking for an authentic wine.