A hexavalent type of alcohol related to glucose (grape sugar) (also sorbitol, glucitol, glucitol), which occurs in wine in very small quantities. Sorbitol is found in many types of fruit such as pears, apples, peaches, apricots or plums. In the case of sorbitol intolerance, the utilisation of sorbitol in the small intestine is completely or partially inhibited, resulting in flatulence, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. In larger quantities, sorbitol gives the wine more body, which is why it has also been used on occasion to illegally adulterate wine. See the different types of alcohol under alcohol.
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Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)