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For sulfite-sensitive people, look for natural wines (no added sulfites, < 30 mg/L total), Demeter-certified biodynamic wines (max 70 mg/L for dry reds), or organic wines labelled 'no added sulfites'. Reds are generally better tolerated than whites (they need less sulfite). Consult a healthcare professional to confirm a sulfite intolerance.
The French Paradox is the epidemiological observation that the French, despite a diet rich in saturated fat, have a relatively low rate of cardiovascular mortality. This phenomenon has been partly attributed to moderate red wine consumption, which is rich in polyphenols.
Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red grape skins, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in lab and animal studies. However, the amounts in wine (0.2-5.8 mg/L) are far below the doses used in clinical trials (150-500 mg/day). The French Paradox isn't fully explained by resveratrol alone. Consult a healthcare professional before changing your habits.
No — the official medical recommendation is zero alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol crosses the placenta and can cause foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), leading to growth delays, facial abnormalities, and cognitive issues. No safe minimum dose has been scientifically established. Consult your doctor or midwife for personalised advice.
Not always. Fermented grape juice is naturally plant-based, but many wines are fined (clarified) with animal-derived products: egg white, casein (milk), isinglass (fish), or gelatine. Vegan wines use plant-based (pea, potato) or mineral (bentonite) fining agents instead.
Yes, organic wine does contain sulfites — just less than conventional wine. EU regulations (since 2012) cap sulfites at 100 mg/L for organic reds and 150 mg/L for organic whites/rosés, versus 150 and 200 mg/L for conventional. Plus, fermentation naturally produces 10-30 mg/L of sulfites even with zero additions.
Contrary to popular belief, sulfites are probably not the main cause of wine headaches. Scientific studies point more toward histamine, tannins, and acetaldehyde. Sulfites mainly trigger respiratory reactions in sensitive individuals (about 1% of the population).
Yes, non-alcoholic wine has improved significantly thanks to vacuum dealcoholisation. It retains some of the wine's aromas and polyphenols, with 3-5 times fewer calories. It is genuinely useful for drivers, pregnant women, and anyone cutting back on alcohol.
The lowest-calorie wines are brut nature sparkling (around 60 kcal per glass) and light dry whites like Muscadet or Vinho Verde (80-90 kcal per glass). The rule: less alcohol and less residual sugar means fewer calories.
Yes. A dry wine typically contains under 4 g of residual sugar per litre (about 0.6 g per glass). Off-dry wines contain 4-12 g/L, and sweet wines can exceed 45 g/L — roughly 2 sugar cubes per glass.
No. Rose is made from red grapes whose juice stays in contact with the skins for just a few hours (2-24 h), giving it a pale colour. Blending red and white wine is banned in the EU, except for blended rose Champagne.
Wine alcohol content typically ranges from 5.5% to 16% ABV. Still wines usually fall between 12% and 14.5%. Fortified and dessert wines can reach 16-22%.
No, it is usually the opposite: red wine causes headaches more often than white. Red contains higher levels of histamines, tannins, and tyramine — three substances linked to headaches.
Yes, all wines contain sulfites. Alcoholic fermentation naturally produces 10-30 mg/L of SO2. Most winemakers add extra sulfur dioxide to protect wine from oxidation and bacteria, within EU legal limits (150-400 mg/L depending on type).
Belgian guidelines (Superior Health Council, 2018) recommend a maximum of 10 standard drinks per week, no more than 2 per day, with at least 2 alcohol-free days. The WHO emphasises that zero risk does not exist.
Wine, like all alcohol, helps you fall asleep faster but worsens overall sleep quality. Alcohol disrupts REM sleep cycles, causing nighttime awakenings and morning grogginess.
A standard 150 ml glass of wine contains between 80 and 130 kcal. Dry red averages about 120 kcal, dry white about 105 kcal, and brut Champagne about 95 kcal.
A 150 ml glass of wine contains roughly 80 to 130 kcal depending on the type and alcohol level. Wine alone does not make you gain weight — excess overall calories and the snacking that often accompanies drinking are the real culprits.
Red wine contains polyphenols, including resveratrol, linked to heart-protective effects in some studies. However, the WHO states that no level of alcohol consumption is completely risk-free.
A wine box is a monthly subscription with wines selected by the service, without a community dimension. A wine club adds a social layer: tasting events, priority access to rare wines, a member community, and often preferential pricing on the full catalogue. Wine clubs typically cost more (EUR 50-150/month) but deliver a richer experience.