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Brew King Technical Bulletin, July 2003. All Rights reserved. All Brew King wine kits contain metabisulphite, and we recommend sanitising winemaking equipment with sulphite solution. Sulphite works by releasing free sulphur dioxide (FSO2), which inhibits yeast, mould and bacteria.

Sulphite is also added directly to wine after fermentation, to prevent oxidation. Oxidation in wine follows the same pattern in an apple slice exposed to air—the wine browns and takes on a flat ‘cardboard’ taste. Sulphite binds with oxygen, preventing browning and flavour loss.

The use of sulphite goes back more than 500 years. The Dutch popularised it during the 16th century by shipping only sulphite-treated wines.

By Jon Griffin

Many times we are asked why sulfites are used and how to use them. Sulfite is really metabisulfite (either potassium or sodium). Wine kits use sulfites and they can also be used as an effective sanitizer. It works by releasing free sulphur dioxide (FSO2), which inhibits yeast, mold and bacteria. Sulfites have been used for more than 500 years, with the Dutch popularising it’s use by shipping only sulfite treated wines. They found that only sulfite treated wines could make long sea voyages and not turn to vinegar.

Sulfite is added after fermentation to prevent oxidation.