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WHY DO WINEMAKERS ADD SULFITES TO WINE?

April 26, 2017sulfites Wine winemakers

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WHY DO WINEMAKERS ADD SULFITES TO WINE?

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Sulfur has been used as a preservative in winemaking for quite some time. To prevent wine spoilage, European winemakers pioneered the use of sulfur dioxide (SO2) two hundred years ago. Unfortunately, freshly pressed grape juice has a tendency to spoil due to contamination from bacteria and wild yeasts present on the grape skins. Not only does sulfur dioxide inhibit the growth of molds and bacteria, but it also stops oxidation (browning) and preserves the wine’s natural flavor.