"Contains Sulphites" on the label is a mandatory statement when sulphites exceed 10 mg/l: it is primarily meant to inform those who are sensitive to sulphites. It does not automatically indicate a "worse" wine, only that the prescribed threshold has been exceeded.
Wine, sulphites and label indication
It is always worth remembering that the natural process of alcoholic fermentation of grape must leads to vinegar.
Only through human intervention can we afford to drink a wine that is 15 or 20 years old.
We have already discussed in depth, with comparative tables, the now heavily debated statement "contains sulphites". If you want to explore the topic in more technical detail, you can also read this related article: Cosa sono i solfiti nel vino: chiarimenti.
Where we find sulphites (not just in wine)
We find sulphites in a great many foods – besides wine, in beer, cured meats, fruit juices, jams, etc. – and it is precisely those notorious codes ranging from E220 to E228 that conceal sulphites which, in many people who are unable to neutralise them through the hepatic system, trigger headaches, skin irritations, hives and even anaphylactic shock.
When the law requires "Contains Sulphites" to be written
The law, unfortunately, does not help us, requiring "Contains Sulphites" to be written on the label only when concentrations exceed 10 mg/litre.
Which wines tend to contain more
In general, white wines contain more sulphites than reds; in absolute terms, the wines with the highest sulphite content are sweet white wines.
EU maximum limits: what it means for the consumer
Below the 10 mg/litre threshold, no indication is required, while the maximum limits imposed by the European Union on the final sulphite content are 160 mg/litre for dry red wines and 210 mg/litre for white wines; above these values the wine cannot be placed on the market.
Ultimately, a red wine bearing the label statement "Contains Sulphites" could contain as little as 11 mg/litre or as much as 160 mg/litre. It is high time the label indicated the actual quantity of sulphites present in the wine, so that consumers can make an informed choice about the product they are purchasing.
Dry red wine: what the law says (quick overview)
Up to 10 mg/l
Label: no mandatory statement.
Marketing: permitted.
Between 11 and 160 mg/l
Label: statement "Contains Sulphites" required.
Marketing: permitted.
Above 160 mg/l
Label: not applicable (exceeds the maximum permitted limit).
Marketing: the wine cannot be placed on the market.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some wines not carry "Contains Sulphites"?
Because below 10 mg/litre the law does not require any statement on the label.
If I read "Contains Sulphites", how many sulphites are actually in there?
The statement indicates that the threshold has been exceeded, but does not specify the quantity: a red wine could have just above 10 mg/l or reach the maximum limit for its category (e.g. 160 mg/l for dry red).
Until the next guide, where we will talk about organic wine.
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