Honest Wine: Avoiding Additives
In the U.S., we're accustomed to doing massive grocery runs, filling oversized carts to prepare for the entire week. When I lived abroad in Europe, the produce was fresh, seasonal, and perishable within just a few days, making frequent trips to the market a necessity. A friend recently returned from her summer vacation in Italy, where she visited her great-grandparents in their coastal villages. It was her first trip to Italy, and knowing that I’d been there multiple times and even lived there for a while, she couldn’t wait to share her experience with me. "Everything tastes so fresh! I couldn't believe it!" she exclaimed.
And what might their secret be? In many parts of Europe, they focus on local, seasonally-grown organic produce. Everything seemed a bit more pure with fewer sprays and additives. I felt pretty darn good too!
In contrast, we often manipulate our products to extend their shelf life, improve appearance, and create a uniform taste—and this sometimes extends to our wines as well. While I do enjoy domestic wines, I always research the winery extensively before choosing a bottle. However, I naturally feel more confident selecting a European wine, knowing it likely contains fewer additives.
As of December 2021, the EU allowed 59 winemaking additives, compared to the FDA’s approval of 76 in the U.S. The EU also recently started mandating that wines sold within the region include ingredient, nutrition, energy, and allergen information on the label starting December 8, 2023. You can read more about the new EU wine label regulations here.
So, how can you choose a wine with fewer additives? Read every wine book and immerse yourself extensively in the industry. Just kidding! That’s for me to do. My online shop and wine club certainly represent a more pure approach, wink wink. But truly, a safe bet is to select a bottle from say Italy or France, especially if it indicates the region, organic farming practices, a respect for nature, and mentions a family-owned estate on the label. Alternatively, you might want to pull out your phone and do some quick research to ensure the winery follows a more natural approach to winemaking. Cheers!
