What is it in red wine that gives me such a dreadful pounding headache?

Question

I usually drink white wine but was given a bottle of red recently as a present. I didn't like to offend so I've been using it in cooking rather than pour it down the sink, but yesterday I had a glass with my dinner, I should have know better.

I can eat red grapes and even drink red grape juice with no ill effect, so why does turning them into wine make a difference. Is it just a chemical process that occurs in the making of wine?

Answer 1

Tannins. These occur in the grape must (skin) in reasonable quanities (also in the flesh and seeds to lesser degrees). These give the red wine its colour, and give you that "drying" sensation if the wine is young or rough. Tannins produce histamines, which are what gives the "allergic reaction" - people with athsma or hayfever mayfind themselves more succeptible to tannins too.

Try an asprin and lots of water next time. Or see your doctor - s/he may reccommend a course of antihistamines if you really want to drink reds.

Some people have a reaction to the sulphur in wines, which is a natural preservative, although if you are drinking whites as well, I would suggest it's the tannins.

Answer 2

Some people report that taking Sudafed before drinking red wine helps to prevent the headaches, and does not cause drowsiness. Another possibility is taking an aspirin. Personally I am fond of enteric coated aspirins because they do not bother my stomach. However, I am not a physician and this should not be construed as medical advice.

Yet for most people who suffer from red wine headaches, the theories are irrelevant. They want to know what to do about the problem. And don't confuse red wine headaches with the headache that comes after a full evening of drinking. That's called a hangover. The fact of the matter is no one knows what causes red wine headaches. The solution is to try to find a wine that doesn't cause you a headache and stick to it. If the wine is going to affect you, it will probably do so in about 15 minutes.

Answer 3

It's calles RWH ... Red wine headache & it does exist. The most popular theory is that it's the sulfites that cause the problem & some countries label the bottles to say this. I used to suffer with this & only ever drank white wine but we now live where really good red wine is inexpensive & I don't get the headaches so perhaps you should go for a more expensive bottle as a treat & see what happens.
Hic..

Answer 4

According to one wine website, "What actually causes the infamous red wine headache? No one knows for sure. Researchers have had good leads, but have been unable to prove that the headaches are definitely caused by sulfites, tannins, histamines or tyramines" (www.winegeeks.com, 2007).

Another wine expert offers this theory, "There’s no such thing as “Californian” wine (most complaints that I get involve Californian wines). There are about 60 different substances which can (legally) be added to wine. Different wineries use different substances and in different quantities. It makes as much sense to sample different California wineries as to sample different countries’ wines, unless you believe there is a special curse on the soil of California" (http://www.winejoe.com/archives/wj2002/Sept02/HeadachesRed.htm, retrieved 2/17/2007).

Seems it's best to avoid any wine that has given you a headache and when you find one that doesn't stick with that.

Answer 5

I like having a glass of wine once in awhile but when I do I make sure that the wine does not contain sulfites.
Alot of people are allergic to sulfites which are used to preserve the wine.
whenever I drink wine that contains sulfites I get a nasty headache and I feel sick.
Check the bottle it will say on the label if it contains sulfites.
If it does...go out and try another wine without them..it's a good possibility that your allergic to the sulfites in the wine.

Answer 6

I don't know as I drink red wine and never suffer with a headache, however if I drink white I always feel dreadful! I do choose my wines carefully though. But theat sbecause I know the style of wine I like rather than to avoid a headache. Each to their own I suppose. Interestingly I learnt today that lager often presents the worst problems as it is wheat based and leads to extreme dehydration! Thankfully I never drink the stuff as it tastes awful to my palate.

Answer 7

Red wine is usually high in tannins, which cause migrain to some people. Nothing you can do about it really.
Tannins can come from the peel of a grape, the seeds or from the cask it's fermented and aged in. Over here the off licence lists low tannin reds which are suitable, but I don't know if that's the case in uk.

Answer 8

I drink a bottle of merlot usually 3 times a week. My preference lately has been 2004 Cellar No.8(California) or 2004 Valdubon(Spain). My trick for avoiding a hangover is to drink 2 8oz. glasses of room temp water and then pop 2 advil. I wake up with no ill effects every time.

Answer 9

It affects a lot of people thus especially if taking more than 2 glasses.

May have to do with the additives in the wine making process or just plain too much alcohol.

Answer 10

I think it's called the congenerics. That is the toxins that are generated along with the alcohol by the fermenation process. These vary with the source. Red grapes seem to be particularly bad for it. You'd a chemist to explain it. Never know, one may just turn up on this website!