Gluten Free Wine? Really?

Yes really.

Wine is considered a gluten free product. I had gotten this question a few times before and was never quite sure what to say. I did some poking around on the handy dandy internet and found out that wine is considered gluten free and a safe choice for those with gluten sensitivities.

Some winemakers may use a wheat paste to seal the barrels wines are aged in. This paste is washed away before the wine gets into the barrel; they use hot water to wash out the barrels and help the wood expand for a better seal.
Some may use a gluten substance to fine the wine. It adheres to particles to take them out of the finished product. This gluten is being removed with the particles, plus the gluten levels are below 20ppm, which is the threshold to be considered gluten free.

If someone is super sensitive to gluten products and are concerned about it, I would recommend going for unoaked wines as they are aged in stainless steel vats with no oak influences. There are reds and whites available. Even call the winery to inquire whether they use any kind of gluten products in their fining process.

And don't worry about the corks, they do not contain gluten.

It was recommended to contact manufacturers of wines with added coloring or flavors just to be on the safe side.