Does Organic Wine Contain Sulphites?

Sulphites are one of the most misunderstood topics in wine. You'll see 'contains sulphites' on virtually every bottle of wine sold in the UK and EU — including organic ones — yet organic wine is widely assumed to be sulphite-free. So what's actually going on?

What are sulphites?

Sulphites (or sulfites) are compounds containing sulphur dioxide (SO₂). In winemaking they serve as a preservative and antioxidant — added at various stages of production to protect the wine from spoilage and oxidation, and to extend its shelf life. Sulphur dioxide has been used in winemaking for centuries.

Do organic wines contain sulphites?

Yes — most do, but in lower quantities than conventional wine. EU regulations set a maximum permitted sulphite level for certified organic wine that is significantly lower than for conventional wine. For organic red wine the limit is 100mg/litre, compared to 150mg/litre for conventional red. For organic white and rosé the limit is 150mg/litre versus 200mg/litre for conventional.

So organic wine is not sulphite-free, but it is lower in sulphites — and for many people that's a meaningful difference.

What about biodynamic wine?

Biodynamic certification through Demeter sets even stricter sulphite limits than standard organic certification — among the lowest of any certified category. Many biodynamic producers add very little or no sulphites at all, relying instead on careful farming and winemaking to protect the wine naturally.

What about natural wine?

Natural wine takes this furthest. Many natural winemakers add no sulphites whatsoever — labelling their wines 'zero SO₂' or 'no added sulphites.' However, a small amount of sulphur dioxide is produced naturally during fermentation, so even zero-addition wines will contain trace amounts. Truly sulphite-free wine doesn't exist.

Are sulphites bad for you?

Sulphites can cause genuine reactions in a small number of people — particularly those with sulphite sensitivity or asthma, for whom even low levels can trigger symptoms. For this group, lower-sulphite organic or biodynamic wines may be noticeably easier to tolerate.

However, sulphites are commonly blamed for wine headaches and hangovers that are actually caused by other factors — alcohol itself, histamines, tannins, or simply drinking too much. White wine contains more sulphites than red on average, yet red wine tends to cause more headaches. If sulphites were the main culprit, you'd expect the opposite.

At Absolute Organic Wine

Every wine in our range is certified organic or verified to meet equivalent standards. We work directly with small family producers who take sulphite reduction seriously — not just because regulations require it, but because lower-intervention winemaking produces better wine.

Browse our full range of certified organic and vegan wines, delivered across the UK and Ireland.