| What exactly is going into the wine we drink? | | | | Some wineries use sodium carbonate to clean the |
| Well, the list gets quite extensive as wineries have | | | | wooden barrels, and this is neutralized with citric |
| gravitated towards being more similar to | | | | acid. This is standard practice among "old style" |
| beverage companies, rather than authentic | | | | wineries and is okay as long as thorough job is |
| wineries. Of course, this production of a uniformed | | | | done. On the other hand, some wineries add |
| and recognizable product to gain customer loyalty | | | | excessive amounts of citric acid to "re-acidify" the |
| has been going on for decades, maybe even | | | | wine juice and restore its fruity, bright flavors |
| centuries. However, in regards to wineries and the | | | | which might get lost in the fermentation process, |
| ever increasing high technology coupled with | | | | or might have never been there to begin with |
| them, changes have rapidly occurred in the | | | | depending on the quality of the fruit. There have |
| marketing of wine as a global product. Specific | | | | been instances in which the fire retardant chemical |
| chemicals are added in order to insure that | | | | 2,4,6-Tribromophenol has leeched into the wine |
| spoilage does not occur, as this would result in a | | | | from wooden barrels that were coated with this |
| lawsuit. Second, with the ever widening market of | | | | toxic chemical and were not properly neutralized. |
| wine sales in Asia, particularly China, there is a | | | | So how can a consumer avoid the pitfalls of |
| need for efficient logistics to get the product sold | | | | drinking tainted wine? The first step in to visit the |
| and the brand name remembered. | | | | Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau's website |
| Sulfites are commonly used to preserve wine and | | | | and learn about wine labeling laws. Of course as I |
| inhibit the growth of bacteria. To prevent | | | | mentioned, the label often says one thing but in |
| oxidation, nitrogen argon, sulfur dioxide, and | | | | practice what the wine contains is quite different. |
| carbon dioxide are gases used in the tanks where | | | | The best way to counter this is to investigate |
| wine is stored. There are specific laws, for | | | | wineries in your local area that might offer organic |
| minimum and maximum amounts required to be | | | | wines. Most every state has cities with local |
| put into wine. In reality however, the amount of | | | | wineries that most people are not aware of, save |
| sulfites and gases usually far exceed minimum | | | | Alaska. Generally speaking, less chemicals are used |
| amounts. There are other chemicals which can | | | | at local wineries, especially if it is a seasonal one. |
| include cleaning chemicals and solvents used to | | | | Some of these local wineries make organic wines. |
| clean the winemaking equipment, such as chlorine. | | | | Also, more than likely, you will make many friends |
| If someone is inexperienced in the cleaning | | | | who can guide you towards finding and enjoying |
| process, these can easily be absorbed into the | | | | better wines. |
| wine. | | | | |