Your Essential Guide to Sulfite Sensitivity at Italian Wineries

Italian wineries offer unforgettable experiences, but navigating wine menus with sulfite sensitivity can be challenging. Sulfites (sulfites or SO2) are preservatives widely used in winemaking to prevent oxidation and spoilage. For sensitive individuals, they can trigger headaches, breathing difficulties, or skin reactions after consumption.

Why Sulfites Are Used in Italian Wines

Sulfites preserve freshness and stabilize flavors—especially crucial in Italy’s diverse climates. While all wines contain natural sulfites from fermentation, many producers add small amounts during bottling. Traditional and organic Italian wines often use lower levels, but full elimination is rare due to preservation needs for flavor consistency.

Recognizing Low-Sulfite Options

Under EU regulations, wines with over 10 mg/liter require a label stating "contains sulfites" (in Italian: "contiene solfiti"). For sulfite-sensitive visitors:

• Look for organic (biologico) or biodynamic (biodinamico) wines, which cap added sulfites at 100 mg/liter (vs. 150 mg/liter conventional).
• Seek whites and reds labeled "senza solfiti aggiunti" (no added sulfites), though these are less common and best consumed young.
• Avoid sweet wines (e.g., passito), which typically have higher sulfite levels.

How the mm food App Helps You Dine Safely

At Italian wineries and restaurants, mm food simplifies your experience:

1. Translate Menus Instantly: Scan Italian wine lists to see descriptions in your native language.
2. Personalized Sulfite Alerts: Activate "sulfite sensitivity" in your dietary profile. Our AI cross-references your restrictions against menu items, highlighting low-sulfite wines or flagging risky options.
3. Ingredient Analysis: Beyond wines, the app assesses food pairings (e.g., dried fruits or pickled items) that might contain hidden sulfites.

Travel confidently—with mm food at your fingertips, savor authentic Italian wines without compromising your health. Salute to safe sipping!