Yes, organic wine can still contain sulfites, although typically in lower amounts compared to conventionally produced wines. Sulfites are naturally occurring compounds that are also used as a preservative in winemaking. Even if no sulfites are added during the winemaking process, small amounts may still be present due to natural fermentation.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, wines labeled as “organic” must not contain added sulfites, with the exception being naturally occurring sulfites. With that in mind, wines labeled as “made with organic grapes” can contain added sulfites, the total sulfite level must be less than 100 parts per million (ppm) for these wines.
The European Union (EU) and other countries may have slightly different regulations regarding organic wine production and sulfite content. To understand how organic certification works by country, check organic certification standards of the region in question for the most accurate information.
In short, organic wines may contain fewer sulfites than conventionally produced wines, they can still contain naturally occurring sulfites.
