Have you ever had just a small amount of wine and felt the consequences? This might happen because the sulphur in wine aggravates minor allergies.
Before you denounce wine altogether, Waverley Hills produces organic, low sulphur wine that you can enjoy without worry.
Situated between Tulbagh and Ceres, Waverley Hills also produces MCC and olive products. The estate features a tasting room, restaurant, deli, fynbos nursery, walking and mountain biking trails, and caters for weddings, conferences, and picnics.
A natural vineyard uses no chemical fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. They only spray organic elements like copper and sulphur, and natural predators control harmful pests. An international certification body, SGS, verifies Waverley Hills as an organic wine and olive producer.
Organic wine tastes just as good as any other wine. In fact, not using pesticides, herbicides or artificial chemicals enhances the natural flavours. Waverley Hills organic wines are incredibly smooth with soft ripe tannins and a robust fynbos characteristic.
The secret of sulphur
Most food and beverage products use sulphur as a preservative. Winemakers add sulphur to wines to prevent spoilage and to promote better ageing in the bottle. SO2 (sulphur dioxide) stops mould and bacteria growth, inhibits oxidation once the bottle is open, and preserves the wine’s flavour and colour.
Sulphur is a natural by-product that forms in tiny quantities as a result of the fermentation process in wine making. Therefore, sulphur-free wine doesn’t exist, but wines that are lower in sulphur or free from added sulphur are becoming popular. Organic wines may contain sulphur, but at a lower level than conventional wines. Waverley Hills produces organic wines with and without added sulphur. Their organic wine contains 50% less sulphur and the winemaker tries to use the minimum amount necessary.
It’s rare to find a wine with no added sulphites and by law, the back label must indicate the case: either ‘no added sulphites’ or ‘contains sulphites’.
Despite lower levels of sulphites, white wine will last for up to three years, and reds for 5 – 10 years from bottling. Wines with no added sulphur will drink well for at least two years.
Lower sulphur wine is ideal if you suffer from allergic and intolerant reactions to wine such as asthma, migraine, respiratory and skin disorders. If you experience allergies, organic wine with lower sulphur levels will most likely lessen the intensity of your problems.
Just a 90-minute scenic drive out of Cape Town, the Waverley Hills tasting room and restaurant will enchant you with superb wines and delicious food. Stock up at the deli and fynbos nursery and head out on the walking and mountain biking trails to enjoy some fresh air.
OF NOTE
When Tasting room: Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday 11 am – 3 pm. Restaurant business hours
Where Off the R46 between Tulbagh and Ceres, Wolseley (map and directions)
Cost Online store
Contact +27 23 231 0002, [email protected], www.waveryleyhills.co.za
Photography courtesy WH social media