Do Natural Wines Prevent Hangovers?
Ok, so first let's define what a natural wine is: it is made with grapes that come from organic or biodynamic vineyards full stop. In the cellar the wine starts fermentation with ambient or native yeasts found in the winery, no cultivated commercial industrial yeasts are prohibited. During the fermentation, no additions are permitted. In commercial wineries over 100 additives maybe use, but natural wine ideally has no additives, but rather just grapes. Sulfur use during fermentation and after is kept to an absolute minimum...around 35ppm or no sulfur at all. Most commercial wineries add more than 50-75 times the amount of sulfur. So, in a brief nutshell that is the definition of natural wine.
Now, the elephant in the room: Do Natural Wines Prevent Hangovers? Based on our personal experience enjoying these wines over the past 20 years, the answer is absolutely not. There are many claims made about the benefits of natural wine, and many of them are true: organic farming, reduction of fossil fuels, nominal additives etc. We absolutely LOVE natural wine and our passion is a lifelong pursuit. Yes, generally speaking because of natural wines lower use of sulphur and minimal additives and generally lower alcohol levels there is an increased chance that one may not feel the negative affects of consuming natural wine. That said, it is still alcohol and if you consume too much, whether natural or conventional, you will feel the negative effects.
We love wine, all styles of wine and we absolutely prefer and stock almost exclusively organic, biodynamic, and natural wine but it is important to remember that wine, any wine can make you feel hungover after a day of over consumption.
The lesson here, above all else is to enjoy organic and biodynamic and natural wine in place of conventional wine that is laden with chemicals.....but just don't consume too much, or you will absolutely get a hangover no matter the style of wine.
Below are a few interesting articles about natural wine for continued reading.
Saveur Magazine : The Truth About Natural Wine and Hangovers
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