Sulphur

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The crystalline element (S = sulphur, meaning "slow-burning") with its typical sulphur-yellow colour is essential for all organisms. Like nitrogen, it is an important building block of amino acids, proteins and enzymes. If there is a deficiency in the human, animal and plant organism, protein metabolism is disturbed. Its effect as a preservative in wine was already known to the Greeks and Romans in ancient times and is mentioned by Homer (8th century BC), Cato the Elder (234-149 BC) and Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), among others.

Until the 17th century, sulphurisation was considered an "arcanum" (secret). It was a secret science known only to the initiated and not open to the public. After repeated over-sulphurisation, the addition of sulphur to wine was briefly banned in some countries for health reasons and offenders were severely punished.

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Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)

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Sulphur

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