Wine and gluten. Gluten, wine. Wine and gluten. Those are the words that echo in my head when my boyfriend tells me, yet again, that he’s going to open a beer or some other type of alcohol. I know full well he shouldn’t be drinking that stuff heck, even people without celiac disease can suffer from it! But he is Irish and drinks red wine, like pretty much every Italian I’ve ever met.
Wine in its natural form is gluten free. But flavored wine is not suitable for gluten free diets.
Gluten-free wine in several countries is made with traditional winemaking processes
Wine is naturally gluten-free. However, some winemakers use enzymes to remove the protein from grape skins, which may contain gluten.
Wine made with traditional methods has been safely consumed by people with celiac disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
However, research shows that some wines made with enzyme treatments may contain trace amounts of gluten because the enzyme used to make them is made from wheat or barley. Wines labeled “gluten-free” should be safe for people with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
The majority of wines are gluten-free
Wine is made from grapes, and the majority of grapes are naturally gluten-free. Many varieties contain only trace amounts of gluten, which come from the skin and stems of the grape before it is pressed for juice.
Some wines are made with additives such as flour or barley malt (which can contain gluten). These may be listed on the label if they’re present in more than 1 part per million (ppm).
If you’re concerned about cross-contamination, select a wine that’s made from certified gluten-free ingredients. Check out our list of certified gluten-free wines.
Many wine producers add additional ingredients to their wines that contain gluten
Wine is made from fermented grapes and has no gluten in it. However, many wine producers add additional ingredients to their wines that contain gluten. A few examples are:
- Sherry: Made with a grape called Pedro Ximénez, sherry can be made with or without the addition of wheat flour.
- Port: Port is made from grapes that have been dried after fermentation and then fortified with brandy before they are bottled. Most ports are blended with other wines after fermentation and before bottling, so they may contain some residual gluten from those other wines.
- Madeira: Madeira wine is produced by aging white or tawny port-style wines in wooden barrels for up to 20 years. Most producers will add caramel coloring during this aging process and some also add sugar, which could result in trace amounts of gluten in the finished product.
Sulfites are a naturally occurring preservative in wine, but some people are sensitive to them
Wine is a fermented beverage made from grapes. Wine is made from a variety of different types of grapes, but the most common type is the red grape. Most wines are made from red grapes, but some white wines are made from green or yellow grapes.
Wine is the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage, and it has been around for thousands of years. The oldest known wine was discovered in Georgia, and it dated back to 6000 B.C. It’s believed that wine was discovered by accident when people left juice out in the sun and it fermented into wine.
Many people can enjoy wine without symptoms
But some people may develop a gluten reaction after drinking wine, especially when they’re not aware that the wine has been contaminated with gluten.
The most common form of reaction to wine is a headache and other symptoms that mimic those of hangover (fatigue, depression and nausea). These reactions can be caused by histamines or other chemicals in red wine, but for most people they won’t be severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Wine is often gluten free, but make sure you know your sources and talk to a doctor about your tolerance for gluten
Wine is typically gluten-free, but not all wine is created equal. Red and white wines are often made with some type of wheat-based product, so you should always check with your doctor before consuming them.
Wine is generally made from grapes, but sometimes other ingredients are added to make it go further or to give it a unique flavor. Some winemakers might add barley malt to their wines, which could trigger symptoms in people who are sensitive to gluten.
As long as you stick to the most common types of wine red and white you’ll be fine if you’re avoiding gluten. If you’re unsure about a specific brand or type of wine, talk to your doctor before consuming it.
Conclusion
Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It helps these plants give structure to their seeds. Gluten is harmless to healthy individuals, but it can be the source of some gastrointestinal discomfort and illness when those with celiac disease ingest gluten.