FAQ

PRODUCT INFORMATION

HOW SAFE ARE THE PRODUCTS?

The patented PureWine® purification technology works without adding any chemicals to your wine, making all of our products safe, reliable and effective. All components of PureWine® products have been tested according to FDA standards. They are manufactured with food-grade-quality components that are sourced in The USA and are BPA-free.

WHAT ARE THE PRODUCTS MADE FROM, CAN THEY BE RECYCLED?

The Phoenix® Bio-Pod™ containers are made from plant-based biodegradable plastics so they are earth-friendly. After use, remove the filter resin beads from the Bio-Pod™ and dispose in the trash. The empty container can then be placed in your recycling.

The Wave® is made of bio-renewable plastic and can be recycled once you have removed the filter that is inside the top housing. Gently pry the housing apart to remove the filter. The housing, stem and air tube go in the recycling and the filter cartridge goes in the trash.

The handles of The Wand™ are made from food-grade, BPA-free polypropylene plastic and are 100% recyclable; just remove the filter from the handle and place the handle in the recycling. The contents of the filter are not recyclable – they are resin beads that contain the absorbed histamines and sulfites – but you can dispose of the filter safely in the waste.

WHERE ARE THE PRODUCTS MADE?

Our products are proudly made in The USA. All components are sourced in the U.S. and all manufacturing takes place in FDA compliant facilities.

ARE THE PRODUCTS TESTED ON ANIMALS?

We do not test our products on animals and no components of the products are made from animal parts.



PREVENTING WINE ALLERGIES

WHAT IS A WINE ALLERGY – aka, WINE INTOLERANCE?

Wine intolerance, or the so called “wine allergies”, that are commonly experienced by more than half of wine consumers can cause a variety of common side effects such as headaches, skin flush, congestion, runny nose/sneezing, upset stomach, and next-day hangovers. These symptoms are very similar to those experienced from more familiar allergies that are triggered by certain foods like shellfish, pollen, dust or pet dander. However, they are normally not caused by true allergic reactions in our bodies. More accurately, they are classified as sensitivities, or intolerances, to components in wine that can induce significant allergy-like symptoms, see more on our blog here. Based on consumer surveys, the classic “wine headache” is the most common side effect that people experience.

WHAT CAUSES WINE ALLERGY SYMPTOMS?

Wine allergy (intolerance) is typically caused by our body’s reactions to histamines and sulfites that occur naturally in all types of wine. The amounts of these components can vary dramatically between different types of wine, hence the wide range of symptoms that consumers can experience depending on the type of wine they are consuming. The severity and frequency that people experience these symptoms are dependent on a wide range of variables, e.g., age, diet, general health, gender, ethnicity, medications, etc. You can learn more about the causes of wine allergies on our blog here.

You can also check out this blogpost on some additional information about alleged wine hangover cures and whether they can work for you.

WHAT ARE HISTAMINES?

Biogenic amines, more generally called “histamines” are chemicals made by our digestive and immune systems. They are also naturally found in many foods and fermented beverages. The histamines in our bodies provide important benefits such as fighting infections and regulating sleep. The histamines found in foods and beverages are surprisingly common. They are especially prevalent in food/drink that is aged or fermented, such as cured meats, aged cheeses or fermented beer, ale and wine. Histamines consumed in one’s diet can trigger allergy-like responses that are unmistakable to the sufferer. As is true with most food intolerances, some people are more sensitive to histamines than others and frequently need to incorporate low histamine diets into their lifestyle.

In the case of wine, histamine precursors are found in the proteins that are in the skin of grapes. The histamines are formed when the grape juices are fermented. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the skin and the darker the wine grape – including varietals such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese or Tempranillo – the higher the levels of histamines in the wine. For people with histamine intolerance, this means they may frequently experience allergy-like side effects from drinking wine. For further details about histamine intolerance, see our Blog.

PureWine® products are the FIRST AND ONLY wine filters that remove the four kinds of biogenic amines found in wine that cause allergic reactions. We hold a range of patents based on selectively filtering these histamines and sulfites from wine without altering any of the natural components of wine (tannins, antioxidants, etc.) that give wine its characteristic taste, aroma and color.

WHAT ARE SULFITES?

Sulfites are preservatives that are formed naturally during grape fermentation and are also universally added to wine. Sulfites help prevent spoilage and oxidation in the bottle thus extending shelf-life and enhancing the beneficial aging processes of wine. Sulfite allergies (sensitivities) are less prevalent than histamine allergies, but cause many of the same symptoms. For further details about sulfite sensitivities, see our blog here and here.

Almost all countries across the globe require wine labels to state “This Wine Contains Sulfites” because of the life-threatening side effects that can occur for some people who are exposed to sulfites. Most wines contain between 10 – 200 Parts Per Million (PPM) of sulfites. You may see wines that call themselves “organic” or say “low sulfites,” but all wines do, in fact, contain sulfites.

WHO SUFFERS FROM WINE ALLERGIES?

Men and women, young and old, can all suffer from wine allergies (intolerance). You’re not alone! For women, side effects from wine allergies often appear for the first time, or increase in severity, during and after menopause due to changing hormones that affect the immune system. For men also, allergy-like symptoms of wine intolerance often become more acute during middle-age.

A genetic predisposition towards wine allergies can also exist for some people. If your ancestors came from a part of the world such as Northern Europe or East/South Asia that did not consume products made from fermented grapes, it’s possible that they did not build up the same immunities that people from historical wine consuming regions like the Mediterranean did. Your heritage is not an automatic determinant of whether or not you have a wine allergy, but it is a contributing factor. Wine allergies also reflect our own individual diets, what we eat and drink from a young age and how those habits affect our unique immune system. A low histamine diet that avoids processed foods and the kinds of histamine-rich foods such as cured/aged meats and cheeses can reduce the likelihood of wine allergies.

Finally, wine allergies can also be triggered by interactions with certain kinds of drugs, especially sulfa or sulfonamide drugs, including anti-diabetic agents and diuretics. Please consult your physician if you are taking any kind of prescription drug and wish to learn more about possible side effects. For additional information about the factors contributing to wine intolerance, see our Blog.



PURIFYING WINE

IS IT POSSIBLE TO PURIFY WINE?

Wine is filtered several times during the winemaking process, before it goes in the bottle. Wine filtration is used to remove grape skins, pulp and stems so it has a nice clear, clean appearance and there are no visible particles. Filtration systems are also designed to remove certain compounds, e.g., excess tannins.

Many people use wine filters at home to remove any remaining particles of yeast, cork or tartrates that form in the bottle during storage. Both the Phoenix® and Wave® remove all of these particles as you pour.

Yet PureWiine® products do so much more. They remove the undesirable components that you can’t see – the histamines and sulfites. These compounds are present in all types of wine and are the main triggers for wine allergies.

In blind taste tests, even wine experts express a preference for wine purified by PureWine® products. Our wine purifiers allow the natural characteristics of wine to be experienced more intensely. With all red, white, rose, and sparkling wines - our products make good wines great and great wines even better!

ARE WINE AERATORS REALLY NECESSARY?

Wine has a complicated relationship with oxygen. When wine is exposed to low levels of oxygen from the air during long-term storage, it evolves over time. The tannins (which make wine dry and astringent, but wonderfully complex) slowly soften and the aroma and color begin to flourish. Yet wine ages quickly when exposed to high levels of oxygen, and can then turn bad. We have all experienced the opened bottle of wine that quickly oxidizes and becomes bitter and undrinkable when left exposed to oxygen for
a couple of days.
All PureWine® products function as wine aerators by managing these complex effects of oxygen and bring out the natural intensity and structure of wine that the wine maker intended. The Phoenix® and The Wave® aerate wine as it is poured from the bottle while The Wand™ quickly aerates wine during the stirring process.

WHAT IS THE PUREWINE TECHNOLOGY?

The patented, proven and safe PureWine® filter technology is present in all our products. In addition to selectively removing the histamines and sulfites, our patented blend of ion exchange resins is able to remove the oxidized components in wine that cause the bitter, undesired taste when wine has been exposed to oxygen for too long. With the PureWine™ technology, many wines that have become bitter due to oxidation can be “revived” so you can once again enjoy the naturally fresh wine flavors. No longer will you need to dispose of wine that has developed that “old wine” bitter taste. No more wasted wine! Reversing this aging process makes your wine taste like you just popped the cork. And along the way, the histamines and sulfites are also removed so you once again have nothing but PureWine.



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW DO I KNOW THE PRODUCTS ARE WORKING?

The PureWine® filtration technologies have been thoroughly tested by a leading independent laboratory to confirm that the histamines and sulfites are being effectively removed from a wide range of wines produced in the leading wine growing regions throughout the world, see the Infographics above.

Thousands of testimonials from happy customers tell our story better than we can ourselves. Read these testimonials and success stories here.

DO THE PRODUCTS WORK ON ALL TYPES OF WINE?

Red, white, rosé, sparkling - you name it. The entire family of PureWine® products works on all red and white wines. The Wand™ is uniquely able to work with sparkling (carbonated) wines such as rosé, champagne and prosecco, but vigorous stirring action may cause them to lose their effervescent "bubbles" more rapidly.

DO THE PRODUCTS CHANGE THE TASTE OF WINE?

The histamines (biogenic amines) and sulfites, that are naturally produced in all wines during the fermentation process, have very strong bitter tastes and noxious odors. Even at very low levels in wine (parts per million), they can be overwhelming and are capable of masking the desired tastes and aromas of the natural wine.

All of our PureWine® products remove the histamines and sulfites that cause the symptoms of wine allergies (intolerance). They also have a terrific additional benefit, the bitter tastes and noxious odors are also removed from the wine at the same time. Through this process, the natural flavors and aromas of some wines will be noticeably enhanced, thus making the wine taste “smoother”, “more rounded” and “less bitter”. So not only are your wine headaches eliminated, but the wine will be even more enjoyable, just what the winemaker intended!

For bottles of wines that have been left opened for a few days, the patented filtration technology in all PureWiine® products comes to the rescue. No matter which PureWine® product you prefer to use, it will remove the oxidized components that cause the bitter tastes to develop and mask many of the desired wine flavors. Remarkably, when the oxidized components are removed, the “revived” wine will once again have its natural tastes and odors.

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I USE THE PRODUCTS?

The three families of PureWine® products are intended to satisfy all your purification needs, no matter what the occasion. A single disposable Bio-Pod™ for The Phoenix® provides a cost effective, convenient way to purify an entire bottle. The Wave® is designed for on-the-go convenience of purifying a single bottle and should be discarded after one use. The Wand™ will purify a single 6-ounce glass of wine. Complying with this usage for all three products will ensure the most effective purification of histamines and sulfites. Effectiveness can be significantly decreased if The Phoenix® Bio-Pod™ or Wave® are used for more than one bottle, or if a Wand™ is used for more than one glass of wine.

DO THE PRODUCTS ALSO PURIFY BEER AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

The PureWine® filtration technologies have been designed to rapidly remove histamines and sulfites when they are present in all other fermented beverages such as beer and dark spirits.

DO PUREWINE PRODUCTS REMOVE ANY TANNINS AND ANTIOXIDANTS?

Tannins, phenolics and antioxidants are critical elements of wine that provide the unique taste, aroma and health benefits that are unique to each wine. Removing a significant amount of any of these elements can have a profound impact on the taste. The performance of PureWine® products has been thoroughly tested using an independent laboratory for a wide range of wines from major wine growing regions throughout the world, see the Infographics above. More than 95% of the tannins, phenolics and antioxidants are maintained in the wines so “all the natural good things” stay in your glass so you can fully enjoy all the benefits without any of the side effects.

Check out our blog here to learn more about the health benefits and antioxidants in wine.



IF I DRINK BETTER QUALITY WINE WON'T THE SIDE EFFECTS BE ELIMINATED?

The side effects of wine intolerance are not necessarily related to the quality of the wine. Some high quality (expensive) wines have quite low levels of histamines and sulfites, but there are other very expensive wines that have very high levels. Similar variations occur for less expensive wines. More directly, high levels of histamines are related to critical variables such as the type of grape, quality of the grape and the fermentation processes used. Whether you drink inexpensive or premium wines, our wine purifiers make good wines great and great wines even better!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUREWINE PRODUCTS AND OTHER WINE PURIFIERS AND WINE DROPS?

Wine drop products are typically made from a common grade of hydrogen peroxide. This chemical reacts with the sulfite preservatives along with destroying the naturally healthy antioxidants common in all wines. Because the amount of peroxide needed for each glass of wine is not clearly known, the results vary. If too little is added then not all of the sulfites will removed. If too much peroxide is added, then the wine will taste like peroxide and the healthy antioxidants will be destroyed.

A second category of wine filters utilizes a technology that preferentially reacts only with sulfite preservatives. Neither of these products will remove the histamines found in all types of wine that are responsible for wine headaches and the wide variety of other side effects. Both products will react with the antioxidants found in wine and can dramatically deteriorate the taste and quality of the wine.

IS THE BIOPOD™ BIODEGRADABLE?

The BioPod™ cartridge is made from plant-based biodegradable plastics so it is eco-friendly.

HOW MANY BOTTLES OF WINE CAN I PURIFY WITH EACH BIOPOD™?

Each BioPod™ is designed to filter one 750 ML bottle of red, white, or rose wine. The Phoenix™ should not be used for 1.5 Liter bottles or effervescent wines such as champagnes or Prosecco. After the bottle has been purified, remove the BioPod™ and dispose of in normal household waste.

HOW DO I CLEAN THE PHOENIX® AFTER USE?

To clean The Phoenix™, rinse thoroughly under hot tap water and use mild detergent if necessary to clean stains. Do not place The Phoenix® in a dishwasher!

IF I ONLY PURIFY PART OF THE BOTTLE, CAN I STORE IT OVERNIGHT AND USE LATER?

It is not intended for the BioPod™ to be reused after long-term storage of an opened bottle of wine. Instead, The Phoenix® should be removed from the bottle, cleaned thoroughly and the BioPod™ disposed of in normal household waste. The bottle of wine should be recorked before storage. At a later date, the remaining portion of wine can be purified using a new BioPod™.



HOW TO ORDER

WHAT PUREWINE PRODUCTS CAN I ORDER ONLINE?

All PureWine® products are available in different sizes and colors from our online webstore, drinkpurewine.com. You can also sign up for our monthly subscription program for terrific discounts and notification of special promotions.

WHERE ELSE CAN I FIND THE PRODUCTS?

You can purchase PureWine™ products at any of our thousands of fine retailers and grocers throughout the U.S. 

Click here to find a store location near you. Our products are also sold on Amazon.

IS THERE A MONEY BACK GUARANTEE?

If you purchased any PureWine® products at a retail store, please return the product to the store and they will refund your money.

If you purchased the product online, please see our return policy here and mail it to us at PureWine Inc., P.O. Box 100, Grapevine, TX 76099. We will refund you for the purchase price and cost of postage.