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Pitaya
05-08-2008, 10:23 PM
Okay, not really drunk, I can’t even finish a glass of it, and am only looking to enjoy a few sips at dinner on the weekends, but I’m in a state of confusion reminiscent of drunkenness on this topic. I’ve only had one glass of wine since going raw, then read here that all wine is raw so it’s okay. So, I had my first glass of organic wine out last night at the raw food restaurant here in the city, and it was not good. Definitely not the heavenly taste I expected given my amazing experience going raw so far, despite its biodynamic, sulfite-free, certified organic label. So, thinking I just have to try others, I went to a wine store on a quest to find one I like, and couldn’t believe the ‘information’ (read: sales pitch) I was given!!!!

The vibrant healthful-looking enthusiastic man lead me to a tiny organic mini-row in the vintage department, where he started his education seminar for me: he never got what the big deal about sulfites was because he is “pro-sulfites!” Sulfites are your friend. They are a naturally occurring substance and wine cannot be shipped without using them. They are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and therefore no problem. There is so little used in wine it couldn’t harm you if you tried. Chocolate-chip cookies have them in droves, so what does that tell you? The best wines out there are non-organic. I mentioned any synthetic chemical is problematic for me, so asked that he point out the ones without sulphur added, and he said he couldn’t say which.

Then the kicker (I can’t BELIVE THIS!!!):
“Look, overall it’s like the organic fruit section in the supermarket. You walk from the regular section piled with large luscious colourful fruits, into a section of smaller bland-looking fruits, most of which are rotting. You tell me which sounds and tastes better.”

I said I thought organic foods tasted better, and prefer less chemicals in my body either way, and thanked him for his assistance, leaving it at that. And the drunken confusion set in as I walked home, and googled the issue to no avail.

Is this what this world has come to, justifying and even promoting unhealthfulness? Or am I overeacting to sulfite-ism? Has wine always tasted like this, and now my sharpened senses are just revealing it to me? Does anyone have brand recommendations? Red is my preference, but I’d be open to trying white if it is recommended!


Thanks, Pitaya

Raw Yogini
05-08-2008, 10:28 PM
I thought organic wine didn't have sulfites.

Pitaya
05-08-2008, 10:39 PM
I did too, but apparently it is very rare to find any wine without sulfites, because it is naturally occuring as it ferments.

finding it without "added" sulfites is easier. we have to be careful in our wording, as always when we tamper with natural state of food. maybe squishing grapes for grape fruit is the only way to go, eliminating the fermentation process altogether, but which restaurant will serve that? :D

good thing we're learning all this, this place is great ;)

MrsJohnnyG
05-08-2008, 10:43 PM
“Look, overall it’s like the organic fruit section in the supermarket. You walk from the regular section piled with large luscious colourful fruits, into a section of smaller bland-looking fruits, most of which are rotting. You tell me which sounds and tastes better.”
:eek: :eek: :eek:

Revvell
05-08-2008, 10:59 PM
I thought organic wine didn't have sulfites.

What Pitaya said. Naturally occurring as opposed to added.

Vessel
05-09-2008, 10:51 AM
Thanks for posting this. I can't help you as it is way over my head but I'm learning a lot. Wow!

zig_zag
05-09-2008, 11:58 AM
I'm sorry I dont have time to read through the whole thread at the moment (just quickly skimmed), so I hope that this wasn't already mentioned and that I'm not beating a dead horse here, but wine in America is NOT raw. There is a law that ALL alcohol allowed into the US must be pasteurized. Go figure.

jacsam
05-09-2008, 12:10 PM
I say skip the wine and go for fresh squeezed juice.

NYbutterfly
05-09-2008, 12:37 PM
I had a very similar experience when I asked an employee of a wine shop to direct me to the organic wines. He went on and on about how it doesn't make it a better wine, that sulfites are not bad for you, you need them, etc etc. He wouldn't stop! I finally had to walk away.

All wines have sulfites, there is NO such thing as a sulfite free wine. Look for the ones that have "no added sulfites". Frey is the only brand I am familiar with that has no sulfites added and is organic, but I know there are plenty more out there.