Important safety note

[pbray]

White wine = migraines. Just say No. There was a reason you switched to drinking reds, remember?

(It's a sulfite sensitivity, more pronounced with certain types of white wines. And I can't believe I had to do this to myself twice within a month to remember that this was the problem.)

Comments

interesting...

[lagilman]

Usually I have people insisting that it's the sulfites in red wines that give them trouble... what styles/varietals give you trouble?

(curious in general and for research purposes)

Re: interesting...

[pbray.livejournal.com]

The latest adventure was set off by rieslings--I think they were different labels on the two occasions, but not certain since I merely had a glass of what was already open. I can't remember the last time I had a riesling before this, it's not something I would order or buy for myself. And both times all it took was a single glass of Riesling to translate into a day of misery.

I'm okay with pinot grigios (Italian) or sauvignon blancs (for these I prefer Australian, New Zealand or Pacific Northwest wineries). Chardonnays are usually okay, but I'm picky about where they're from--the last time I went through this migraine cycle was when chardonnays were my drink of choice, and that prompted the switch to reds.

For reds I'll drink cabernets, merlots or malbecs, chiantis, good blended reds, or a pinot noir if someone has recommended it. I haven't had any problems for the past several years, which is probably why I'd forgotten why I was being careful.

Re: interesting...

[lagilman]

Ahhh. Hrm. I wonder if the problem is not in the grapes themselves, but the process.... you may do better with stainless steel than oak barrels, for whites.

*plots various possible test scenarios*

Re: interesting...

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Makes sense that it's the process which is why I'm okay with some labels but not others.

Re: interesting...

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Ted gets migraines from reds. YMMV, clearly. :)

Re: interesting...

[lagilman]

All wine contains sulfites -- there seems to be a lot of misinformation about which has more -- I was taught that reds carried more because they were in longer contact with the skins during maceration, but some sources now claim that whites have more. No matter the grape, it's all part of the fermentation process, so pretty much impossible to avoid. Organic wines [nor organically-grown) are the best options if you have a sensitivity, but even they're going to have some.

[rant mode on]
Yes people, sulfites are NATURAL part of the wine, not an artificial additive, although some wineries do increase the level to ensure the wine ages well. Yes, European wines, too. They just weren't all required by law to say they contained sulfites. A wine without sulfites will not last very long (a few months before it turns to vinegar) -- hence part of why reds age better than whites [massively simplified] and why people with sulfite sensitivities should usually stick to younger whites [and reds]. However, they should also avoid dried fruits and processed cheese [and garlic, I think], too! A true sulfite allergy can give you far worse reactions than just a headache!

[/end rant]


edited for clarification

Re: interesting...

[pbray.livejournal.com]

My sister-in-law also gets migraines from reds, though she can have a glass or two of an organic red at the holidays. But I have to be different and be sensitive to whites.

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

Ouch :(

I have the opposite experience: white = OK, red = all the hangover, none of the buzz :P.

So mostly I drink beer or Strongbow.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Beer is good. Mmm, foamy goodness.

I'm definitely in the minority in finding whites a problem rather than reds, but as suricattus pointed out above, it could be that I'm sensitive to something in the process, not just to the variety of grape.

[ruthannereid.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow! I'm so sorry. Have you tried organic wines that don't have the sulfites? (I THINK they don't have them....)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

My sister-in-law drinks organic wines (no sulfites added but there are naturally occuring sulfites in wines), but for me simply switching from whites over to reds does the trick.

Or drinking beer :-)

[ruthannereid.livejournal.com]

Red and beer - both good! (And we have none at the moment. Phooey.)