Is Drinking Wine Making you Sick during the Festive Season?

The Use of Preservatives in Wine

Preservatives have been used in the production of wine for many decades. They serve three purposes:

1. Control undesirable microbial growth
2. Inhibit browning enzymes
3. Serve as an anti-oxidant

Grape juice behaves like any other fruit in that when it is exposed to air, it begins to deteriorate due to oxidation. To preserve the fresh fruit flavours of the grape (and also in the wine), preservatives are added immediately after the grape skin is broken. They are continuously used throughout the wine making process until bottling.

The use of preservatives throughout the food industry has been a concern for consumers for many years and many producers have removed them from their products.

Some winemakers have been aware of the harmful effects these preservatives have on consumers and have been trying to produce wines without their use for many years. 

Largely this endeavour has been unsuccessful, particularly with white wine, as it is simply impossible to produce high quality wine without their use.

Most commonly the preservative is added either as a sulphur salt such as Potassium Metabisulphate (which releases sulphur dioxide gas) or sulphur dioxide gas.

Sulphur dioxide gas is well known as an undesirable pollutant. Exposure to sulphur dioxide gas is very unpleasant even at quite low concentrations.

Typical reactions to sulphur dioxide are headaches, shortness of breath, sneezing, watery eyes, weezing, sinus congestion and dizziness. 

Asthmatics are particularly susceptible to sulphur dioxide.

The level of free sulphur dioxide in most wines at bottling is between 25-35ppm, depending on style. After the addition of 5 drops of pure wine the level is normally reduced to 5ppm or less. This is achieved despite the level of preservative varying for different wines.

The wine is kept fresh and vibrant for up to 24 hours after opening due to a slight increase in the preservative level due to a buffering effect.

Public authorities have been concerned with daily intake of sulphur dioxide and there are many cases of increased illness of residents in high sulphur dioxide regions such as near refineries.

There is also research indicating that preservatives are a significant contributor to the

 after effects of alcohol (hangover)

Winemakers have known and used the chemistry behind removing preservatives for many years as it is often practiced in the winery to adjust sulphur levels. 

This knowledge was critical in enabling the preservative to be removed immediately prior to consumption. 

James developed several different methods for achieving this but believed the easiest and most effective is the Pure Wine system described on this web site .http://www.purewine.com.au/index.html

By adding 5 drops of neutralising agent (dilute hydrogen peroxide) from the dropper bottle almost all of the free sulphur dioxide is removed. This is achieved despite the level of preservatives in wines varying considerably.

This very special product has a unique action when used as directed. It is able to remove almost all the preservative in the wine but allow the wine to remain fresh and vibrant for up to 24 hours after opening. Another great feature is that you can treat individual glasses (150ml) by adding 1 drop.

Please take good note I copied these information from the Pure Wine website because I am so happy with the product. 

I was reacting so strongly to the E220 or sulphur dioxide that I did not drink wine for the last two years.

(yes :( even the most expensive French Champagne has E220!)

Thanks to “Pure wine” I can drink again!

Happy New Year!

Marlene Daniels

Dandelion Vinegar Recipes; Is your front lawn looking like mine!

While many people think of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a pesky weed, herbalists consider it a valuable herb with many culinary and medicinal uses.

Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc.

I often used its leaves to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. 

The roots can be found in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make certain wines.

This plant also goes by the French name, Pissenlit. Ironically enough when used in the tea form made by the leaves or the root has a tendency to act as a diuretic on the kidneys. Over the counter diuretics have a tendency to suck the potassium out of the body but not the Dandelion leaves. Dandelion root tea has helped some actually avoid surgery for urinary stones.

Dandelions are really just good for overall health and well being so just about anyone could benefit from a cup of dandelion tea.

Many herbalists will agree with Nana Rose that incorporated the Dandelion plant into dinner each night will assist in easier digestion.

When you take a Dandelion plant and break the stem you will find a milky white substance inside. This substance is great for removing warts, pimples, moles, calluses, soothing of bee stings, and blisters. 

Some other things that Dandelion has been popular in the past for is making Dandelion jam and others use it for a coffee substitute when it is roasted and ground Dandelion root.

Many also drink Dandelion wine. Dandelion root is one of the safest and most popular herbal remedies on the market and is widely used today.

I would like to share an old recipe using Dandelion

* Nana Rose Healthy Dandelion Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe

Ingredients:

- 100g (4oz) fresh dandelion flowers

- 200g (8oz) Apple Cider Vinegar

Pick the Dandelion flowers and discard the stalks. Wash the flowers and pat dry.

Choose a jar that is clean and dry and has enough volume to fill with the flowers and the vinegar.

Push the flowers into the bottle until it is full, then pour the vinegar into the bottle so that it covers them.

Loosely cover the wine bottle and leave in a cool dark cupboard for at least seven days to allow the flowers to infuse then strain into a fresh clean bottle.

Seal the bottle until ready for use.

* Nana Rose Healthy Dandelion Apple Cider Vinegar Internal Detoxing

For some people, acne may be the body's response to exposure to toxins in food and in the environment. If that is the case for you, this recipe may help. It is a popular detox drink. It has been recommended since the time of Hypocrites and Galen as an aid to alleviate or cure arthritis. And as an aid to digestion and to relieve constipation.

* Try drinking 1-2 teaspoons of Nana Rose Dandelion Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe in a full glass of water once or twice a day. (like cordial)

* Nana Rose Healthy Dandelion Apple Cider Vinegar Internal Tonic

Sometimes we cannot overcome the desperate tiredness we feel in ourselves. 

Try a pick-me-up with the followings.

Mix 1/2 cup of Nana Rose Dandelion Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe with 1/2 cup of honey.

- Take two teaspoons at night before going to bed.

- Try drinking 1-2 teaspoons in a full glass of water once or twice a day. ( like cordial)


Apple cider vinegar is so good for your health and well being because it contains the mineral potassium, which is necessary for the promotion of healthy cells and tissues.

The potassium is ingested into the body in an acid medium which makes it easier to assimilate.

* Apple Cider Dandelion Vinegar Skin Tonic

This easy toner uses apple cider vinegar and honey to kill germs, dry excess oil and clear pores. Apple cider vinegar contains alpha-hydroxy acids, which help skin renew itself more quickly. 

These are the same acids used to help reduce acne, reduce signs of aging and reduce the appearance of acne scars. Honey soothes, moisturizes and also has antiseptic properties.

Ingredients for 100ml:

- 1 teaspoon honey

- 60ml orange blossom water OR rosewater OR distilled water

- 40ml Nana Rose Healthy Dandelion Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe

- A few drops lavender essential oil (optional)

How to Make

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl, then funnel into a clean bottle with spray. Spray your face after cleansing and every night before bed.

Use orange blossom water if you can find it - it is known for soothing skin and clearing up acne, and it makes the toner smell less...bracing. Look for it in a middle eastern supermarket near you.

Caution; Dandelion is generally considered safe. Some individuals, however, may develop an allergic reaction from touching dandelion. If you have an allergy to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, daisies, or iodine, you should avoid dandelion. In some people, dandelion can cause increased stomach acid and heartburn.

Coming soon! Marlene New book with many Vinegar recipes for the skin!

Happy Skin Care Making!

Marlene Daniels