Is Wine Ultra-Processed?
No — wine is not ultra-processed
No, wine is not ultra-processed. Wine scores NOVA 1 (unprocessed or minimally processed) under the NOVA classification system. It is made from grapes through fermentation — a traditional process, not an industrial one. Nearly all wines analysed at Tesco scored NOVA 1 with zero UPF markers. One product (Wairau Cove Sauvignon Blanc) scored NOVA 3 due to added sugar, but none reached NOVA 4. Wine contains no emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, or industrial flavourings.
Why Wine scores NOVA 1 — Unprocessed
Wine is produced through the natural fermentation of grape juice by yeast — a process that has been used for thousands of years. Under the NOVA framework, fermentation is classified as minimal processing, placing wine firmly in NOVA 1. The Caparelli Italian Pinot Grigio lists its ingredients as grapes, concentrated grape must, preservatives (potassium metabisulphite, sulphur dioxide), acidity regulator (tartaric acid), and packaging gas (nitrogen). Despite these additions, none are classified as ultra-processed markers under NOVA.
Sulphites (sulphur dioxide and potassium metabisulphite) are traditional wine preservatives that have been used for centuries. The NOVA framework does not classify them as ultra-processed additives — they fall under standard preservation methods for fermented beverages. Similarly, tartaric acid is a naturally occurring acid found in grapes, added to adjust acidity.
Almost all wine products in the Tesco dataset — spanning red, white, and rosé from brands including 19 Crimes, Babich, La Vieille Ferme, Most Wanted, Isla Negra, and Wine Route — scored NOVA 1 with zero UPF markers. The one exception was Wairau Cove Sauvignon Blanc which scored NOVA 3 due to added sugar in its ingredients, though still with zero UPF markers. Wine remains one of the cleanest-scoring categories in the entire analysis.
Wine at Tesco — NOVA scores
Source: Tesco product page, March 2025
*Prices were correct at the time of collection and may have since changed. Check Tesco.com for current pricing.
What to look for when shopping
Wine is reliably not ultra-processed. There is no meaningful difference between cheap and expensive wine when it comes to NOVA classification — both are NOVA 1. If you are concerned about additives, look for wines labelled "organic" or "natural" which may use fewer sulphites, though even conventional wine sulphites are not considered ultra-processed. The bigger health consideration with wine is alcohol content, not processing level.
SpikeSaver can help you compare wines on other metrics like sugar content and value for money, where there are genuine differences between products.
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