What is Arsenic?
Arsenic is a natural component of the earth’s crust and is widely
distributed throughout the environment in the air, water and land. It is a semi-metal element in the periodic table that is odorless and tasteless. But there are two types, organic and inorganic, arsenic is
highly toxic in its inorganic form.
There are a number of health risk associated with the consumption of arsenic. Human exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause both short and long term health
effects. Short or acute effects can occur within hours or days of
exposure. Long or chronic effects occur over many years. Long term
exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs,
skin, kidneys, nasal passages, liver and prostate.
Read more:http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/arsenic/Basic-Information.cfm#one
How does Arsenic get into Wine?
Lots of foods and drinks contain trace levels of arsenic because it is a naturally occurring element in the earth.
However just a hunch, "These products themselves may be heavy in arsenic, due to either
arsenic in the ingredients or the diatomaceous earth used in their
filtering processes," says study author Kathryn Cottingham.
In addition, "Studies have found that certain pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers increase the amounts of arsenic..."
Read more:http://www.academicwino.com/2012/01/soil-and-groundwater-contamination-of.html/
What are the Arsenic Standards for Wine?
Although the FDA does not test local wines for the substance, the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau regulates the production of alcoholic beverages, and part of this process is testing wine for arsenic, said Erika Holmes, spokeswoman for Washington State University's Viticulture and Enology school.
Countries that import California wine test for arsenic using their own standards: 100 parts per billion in Canada and 200 parts per billion in Europe -- 10 to 20 times higher than the drinking water limit in the United States.
"It's certainly appropriate to look to other countries' regulations for guidance," Sacks said. "Their regulators are presumably looking at the same body of research that U.S. regulators would look to if they were to establish a mandatory limit for wine."
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/living/arsenic-wine-california-lawsuit-feat/index.html
What are they suing for?
The lawsuit does not include any allegations of physical injury or death
due to arsenic consumption associated with drinking the wines named in
the complaint. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and a court
order requiring the defendants disclose on the bottles the risks of
consuming inorganic arsenic in wines and engage in "corrective
advertising" regarding their conduct.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/living/arsenic-wine-california-lawsuit-feat/index.html
What are the wines named in the lawsuit?
Mainly found in low cost $5-$10 bottle white and blush wines: - Acronym (GR8RW Red Blend).
- Almaden (Heritage White Zinfandel, Heritage Moscato, Heritage Chardonnay, Mountain Burgundy, Mountain Rhine, Mountain Chablis).
- Arrow Creek (Coastal Series Cabernet Sauvignon).
- Bandit (Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon).
- Bay Bridge (Chardonnay).
- Beringer (White Merlot, White Zinfandel, Red Moscato, Refreshingly Sweet Moscato).
- Charles Shaw (White Zinfandel).
- Colores Del Sol (Malbec).
- Glen Ellen by Concannon (Glen Ellen Reserve Pinot Grigio, Glen Ellen Reserve Merlot).
- Concannon (Selected Vineyards Pinot Noir).
- Cook's (Spumante).
- Corbett Canyon (Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon).
- Cupcake (Malbec)
- Fetzer (Moscato, Pinot Grigio).
- Fisheye (Pinot Grigio).
- Flipflop (Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Cabernet Sauvignon).
- Foxhorn (White Zinfandel).
- Franzia (Vintner Select White Grenache, Vintner Select White Zinfandel, Vintner Select White Merlot, Vintner Select Burgundy).
- Hawkstone (Cabernet Sauvignon).
- HRM Rex Goliath (Moscato).
- Korbel (Sweet Rose Sparkling Wine, Extra Dry Sparkling Wine).
- Menage A Trois (Pinot Grigo, Moscato, White Blend, Chardonnay, Rose, Cabernet Sauvignon, California Red Wine).
- Mogen David (Concord, Blackberry Wine).
- Oak Leaf (White Zinfandel).
- Pomelo (Sauvignon Blanc).
- R Collection By Raymond (Chardonnay).
- Richards Wild Irish Rose (Red Wine).
- Seaglass (Sauvignon Blanc).
- Simply Naked (Moscato).
- Smoking Loon (Viognier).
- Sutter Home (Sauvignon Blanc, Gerwurztraminer, Pink Moscato, Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Chenin Blanc, Sweet Red, Riesling, White Merlot, Merlot, White Zinfandel).
Read more:http://www.krem.com/story/money/consumer/2015/03/23/list-of-wines-cited-in-lawsuit-as-having-high-arsenic-levels/70322716/
Which wines are not known to contain intense levels of arsenic that we HIGHLY recommend?
-Stella Rosa
-Gum Dale Cabernet Sauvignon
-Mallee Pont Shiraz
-Bella Rosso Italian Sweet Red
-Williamsburg Winery Governors White Riesling
-San Antonio Winery Cardinale
-Riunite Lambrusco
-Duplin Sweet Muscadine
-Bella Bolle Moscato D'Asti
-Bartenura Moscato
-Roscato Rosso Dolce
-Barefoot-Red Mosacto
-Andre Champagne and Sparkling wine
-Vanilla Puddin Chardonnay
-Gum Dale Cabernet Sauvignon
-Mallee Pont Shiraz
-Bella Rosso Italian Sweet Red
-Williamsburg Winery Governors White Riesling
-San Antonio Winery Cardinale
-Riunite Lambrusco
-Duplin Sweet Muscadine
-Bella Bolle Moscato D'Asti
-Bartenura Moscato
-Roscato Rosso Dolce
-Barefoot-Red Mosacto
-Andre Champagne and Sparkling wine
-Vanilla Puddin Chardonnay
Conclusion
In conclusion, it seems this is just the beginning of the research and findings into wine arsenic levels and what will be deemed safe through FDA standards in the long term. So please be safe and monitor your consumption of arsenic containing wines. We suggest to drink more red wines, that for some reason seems to be less of a threat (please see our past blogs for our favorite red wine recommendations.) Finally, in the near future we wine lovers can only hope that there is truly a safe level of inorganic arsenic exposure deemed by the FDA and that it can be monitored or eliminated all together.
