Total sulfur: a sum, not an effect

The standard

The declared total sulfur amount states the sum and separates it from the effective portion, since only the free, molecular sulfur protects. What matters is therefore not the sum alone but its distribution.

Criteria

• The value is the sum of free and bound sulfur dioxide
• Only the free portion is available for protection
• The legal upper limit refers to the sum, not to the effect

Distinction

Total sulfur ≠ free sulfur: the free portion protects, the bound one is already spent. Total sulfur ≠ mark of quality: the size of the sum says nothing about a wine's merit. The declared total sulfur amount measures a quantity, not an effect and not a verdict.