Beyond the Bottle
Wine Additives You Don’t Need
Let’s talk about what’s really in your wine. Or more importantly, what doesn’t need to be. At LaBelle Winery, we believe great wine can stand on its own with just a few essentials: high-quality grapes, thoughtfully selected yeast, time, and a winemaker who cares. We call this Clean and Crafted winemaking, a thoughtful, minimal intervention approach.
It means we let nature do most of the work, stepping in only when needed to guide the wine to its best possible outcome. But across the wine industry, it’s a very different story.
What’s Allowed in Wine? More Than You Might Think:
In the U.S., winemakers aren’t required to list most ingredients or additives on the label — and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. While allergen labeling may be the first step toward greater transparency, full ingredient disclosure remains optional.
Source: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2025/04/10/alcohol-labeling-ttb-extends-comment-period/
As a result, many wine drinkers have no idea what might be in their glass. To meet high production demands, large-scale producers often turn to a long list of legal additives. These include things like: Mega Purple, a grape-based coloring agent used to darken red wines and boost perceived sweetness; Velcorin, a chemical sterilizer that kills off bacteria and yeast; industrial stabilizers that extend shelf life; and flavoring agents designed to mimic characteristics like oak, vanilla, or body.
These shortcuts might speed up the process or standardize a product, but they also strip away what makes wine personal and expressive. We don’t use any of them.
What We Do Instead:
Our approach is rooted in simplicity and transparency. We work with nature, not against it. That means no artificial color, no flavor enhancers, no chemical stabilizers, and no additives that cover up flaws or mimic traditional techniques.
Instead, we focus on growing excellent fruit in our New Hampshire estate vineyards and partnering with trusted growers in the Northwest who share our values. These growers help round out LaBelle’s diverse portfolio of wines, giving us access to a wide range of grape varietals that thrive in other climates. Every decision we make is about quality and care, not cutting corners. And yes — our wines are always gluten free.
Let’s Talk About Sulfites:
We do use a small amount of sulfites, and here’s why: they help preserve the freshness of the wine and prevent spoilage. Without them, wine can oxidize, turn vinegary, or develop bacteria that can actually make you sick.
Sulfites get a bad reputation, but most people consume them every day without realizing it. For example, dried fruit in your trail mix contains far more sulfites than a glass of wine. The difference is, wine has to list it on the label. We use only what’s needed to protect the wine—nothing more.
Source: https://vinepair.com/articles/food-probably-sulfites-wine/
WHY IT MATTERs:
Wine should reflect the vineyards it comes from and the people who craft it. Additives tend to cover that up. When you choose a wine made with care and integrity, you can taste the difference.
That’s why consumers believe in LaBelle Winery—and why our wines have won hundreds of awards: labellewinery.com/about/our-wines/wine-awards
How to Sip Smarter:
• Ask questions at the tasting bar
• Support wineries that are open about how they make wine
• Choose wines that put transparency first
New Hampshire Wine, World-Class Quality:
From grape to glass, we’re committed to doing things the right way—not the fast way. So when you open a bottle of LaBelle wine, you can feel confident in what you’re drinking.
Want to see the full list of additives we avoid? Click here.
Coming Next:
In our next blog post, we’ll explore how temperature control impacts wine quality—and why getting it right allows us to avoid artificial stabilizers altogether. We’re honored to share our Clean and Crafted minimal intervention winemaking philosophy with you.
JOIN US :
Beyond the Bottle is about transparency, education, and a shared appreciation for thoughtful, intentional winemaking. We invite you to follow along—and discover what truly makes a wine worth drinking.
