What wine is paleo approved? Your definitive guide to clean sipping

While our Paleolithic ancestors didn't sip a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, many modern Paleo adherents do include wine in their diet in moderation. This guide will explain what wine is paleo approved by highlighting the characteristics to look for and what common pitfalls to avoid for a cleaner, more aligned choice.

Quick Summary

The Paleo diet allows certain wines in moderation, with a preference for options that are natural, organic, low in sugar, and have minimal or no added sulfites. Look for dry red or white wines, as well as biodynamic options, to best align with the diet’s principles.

Key Points

• Moderate Intake: While not strictly Paleo, many followers enjoy wine in moderation as a lifestyle choice.

• Prioritize Low Sugar: Choose dry red or white wines and avoid high-sugar sweet or dessert wines.

• Opt for Minimal Additives: The best choices are natural, organic, or biodynamic wines with minimal intervention and additives.

• Watch for Sulfites: Look for 'no added sulfites' to minimize preservatives, though trace amounts occur naturally.

• Red Wine Preferred: Red wine is often favored due to its antioxidant content, including resveratrol.

• Dry Farm Wines Recommended: For pre-vetted, high-quality, paleo-friendly wine, retailers like Dry Farm Wines are a reliable source.

Understanding the Paleo Approach to Alcohol

At its core, the Paleo diet emphasizes consuming whole, unprocessed foods that mimic what hunter-gatherers would have eaten. This means avoiding grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, and a host of modern additives. Given this, alcohol presents a gray area, as fermented beverages were not a part of the true Paleolithic era. However, many people who follow a modern Paleo lifestyle adopt an 85/15 rule, allowing for some flexibility and moderation. For those who choose to include wine, the focus is on selecting the cleanest, most natural options available.

What to Avoid in Conventional Wine

The modern wine industry often uses a range of additives and intensive processing methods that are fundamentally at odds with Paleo principles. To make wine Paleo-approved, you must know what to scrutinize and what to steer clear of.

Industrial Additives

Commercial wineries use numerous chemicals during both the viticulture and winemaking process. These can include pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate in the vineyard, as well as a long list of additives in the cellar. Some common additives include dyes, thickeners, and genetically modified yeast. These elements are completely outside the Paleo framework and should be avoided.

Excessive Sugar

Sweet wines and dessert wines are high in residual sugar and should be avoided entirely on a Paleo diet. The goal is to minimize sugar intake, which makes dry wines the optimal choice. A wine is considered dry when nearly all the grape sugar has been converted into alcohol during fermentation.

Added Sulfites

While sulfites occur naturally during fermentation, many winemakers add extra sulfites to act as a preservative and prevent oxidation. The label “Contains Sulfites” is required for wines with 10 parts per million (ppm) or more. For those sensitive to sulfites or seeking the purest option, look for wines with no sulfites added or certified organic wines in the U.S., which are made without added sulfites.

Characteristics of a Paleo-Approved Wine

Choosing a Paleo-friendly wine means prioritizing purity and minimal intervention. Look for wines that tick the following boxes:

• Organic: Organic wines are made from grapes grown without synthetic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. This is the most critical starting point for a cleaner wine.
• Biodynamic: This farming method takes organic principles a step further, treating the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem. Biodynamic wines are always organic and adhere to even stricter standards, making them an excellent Paleo option. Certification bodies like Demeter and Biodyvin ensure these standards are met.
• Natural Wine: While there is no official certification, natural wine is often described as having "nothing added and nothing removed" during the winemaking process. This typically means no added sulfites, wild fermentation with native yeasts, and no fining or filtration. This minimal intervention approach aligns perfectly with Paleo ideals.
• Low Sugar: For a dry wine, the residual sugar is less than 1 gram per liter, which is an ideal amount for a Paleo lifestyle. Sweet wines like Moscato should be avoided.

Comparing Paleo-Friendly vs. Conventional Wines

Feature	Paleo-Friendly Wine	Conventional Wine
Farming	Organic or biodynamic practices; no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.	Non-organic; uses synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
Additives	Minimal to no additives; native yeast fermentation.	Uses commercial additives like dyes, thickeners, and GMO yeasts.
Sulfites	Minimal or no added sulfites; lower overall sulfite levels.	High levels of added sulfites for preservation.
Sugar	Low residual sugar; dry varieties.	Often contains higher residual sugar, especially in sweeter types.
Processing	Minimal intervention during winemaking.	Can include intensive sterile filtration and other modern processes.

Selecting Paleo-Friendly Wine Options

• Dry Red Wines: Red wine is generally considered the most acceptable for Paleo due to its antioxidant properties, particularly resveratrol. Look for dry varieties like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chianti.
• Dry White Wines: Some dry white wines are acceptable in moderation, but they contain less resveratrol than reds. Good choices include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and dry Chardonnay.
• Organic and Biodynamic Brands: Companies like Dry Farm Wines curate organic, natural, and low-sugar artisan wines from around the world. Other brands focusing on no-added-sulfite organic wines include Frey Vineyards and Pizzolato. Checking for organic and biodynamic certifications is your best bet.
• Non-Alcoholic Wine: For those who wish to avoid alcohol entirely, dealcoholized wine provides a Paleo-friendly option that retains many of the antioxidants found in regular wine.

How to Find Truly Paleo Wine

Finding wine that meets strict Paleo standards requires a bit of research and diligence. Here are some tips for sourcing the best options:

1. Read the Label: Look for certifications like USDA Organic or Demeter for biodynamic wines. In the U.S., a wine labeled “Organic” will not have added sulfites.
2. Look for “No Added Sulfites”: This is the key phrase for those sensitive to sulfites. However, remember that all wine contains trace amounts of naturally occurring sulfites.
3. Prioritize Natural and Biodynamic: Wines made with minimal intervention are the cleanest options. Seek out natural or biodynamic bottles for the purest expression of the grape.
4. Buy from Curated Sources: Services and retailers specializing in natural, organic, or low-sugar wines, such as Dry Farm Wines, do the vetting for you and can provide a trusted supply of compliant products.
5. Favor Dry Varietals: Stick to typically drier grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio to minimize sugar content.

Conclusion

While no alcohol is strictly Paleo in the historical sense, some wines can fit into a modern, moderate Paleo lifestyle. The most important factors are to choose natural, organic, and biodynamic wines that are low in sugar and have no added sulfites. By understanding the processes behind conventional winemaking, you can make informed decisions that align with your health goals. Enjoying a glass of the right wine on occasion is a perfectly acceptable choice for many Paleo followers.

Picking your Paleo-Approved Wine: A Summary

• Choose Natural or Biodynamic Wine: These wines minimize modern processing and additives, ensuring a cleaner product.
• Go for Low Sugar Content: Prioritize dry red and white wines and avoid sweet dessert varieties to minimize sugar intake.
• Check for No Added Sulfites: Opt for wines labeled "No Added Sulfites" to avoid preservatives, especially if you have a sensitivity.
• Moderation is Key: All alcohol should be consumed sparingly, regardless of its Paleo-friendly status, to support overall health.
• Consider Dealcoholized Options: Non-alcoholic wines are the safest choice for those who want the flavor and antioxidants without the negative effects of alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is any wine strictly Paleo?

No, strictly speaking, no alcoholic beverage is truly Paleo, as fermentation was not a part of the original Paleolithic human diet. However, modern interpretations of the diet allow for certain types in moderation.

Are organic wines always Paleo-approved?

Not necessarily. In the U.S., organic wine cannot have added sulfites, but wines labeled 'made with organic grapes' can have sulfites added later. It's important to check for additional processing and sugar content.

What's the difference between organic and biodynamic wine for Paleo?

Biodynamic is a step beyond organic, viewing the farm as a single ecosystem and following stricter standards without synthetic chemicals. All biodynamic wines are organic, making them an excellent Paleo option, but not all organic wines are biodynamic.

What are the best types of red wine for a Paleo diet?

Dry red wines like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are great choices. They are typically low in sugar and contain beneficial antioxidants like resveratrol.

Can I drink white wine on Paleo?

Yes, but with caveats. Opt for dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio to minimize sugar. White wines have fewer antioxidants than red and can sometimes have more added sulfites.

Why should I avoid sulfites in wine on a Paleo diet?

High levels of added sulfites are considered an unnecessary additive that goes against the Paleo principle of consuming minimally processed foods. For those with sensitivities, excess sulfites can also cause adverse reactions.

How can I find out if a wine has added sugar?

The label won't always specify added sugar. The best approach is to choose wines from transparent producers, particularly those labeled as 'natural' or 'dry,' and check the residual sugar content (aiming for less than 1 g/L).