| We get great pleasure from drinking wine, but | | | | dioxide and alcohol, ruining the character of the |
| why do so many of us often suffer from | | | | wine. In theory, dry wines should have less |
| headaches afterwards? There are several | | | | sulphur in them than sweeter wines. |
| reasons why, and it's not necessarily just because | | | | Can a wine be made without adding sulphites? |
| of over consumption! There is a belief that the | | | | Yes it can, but it will have a very short shelf life, |
| over-use of sulphites in the wine is the main | | | | i.e. it will have to be drunk very quickly. Drinking a |
| cause, and as a winemaker, I agree. There are | | | | wine so soon after it is made is not ideal as the |
| other causes as well. | | | | art of winemaking is to create a wine with |
| Why add sulphites in the first place? | | | | character that will develop with age, gaining those |
| Winemakers have been adding sulphites to wines | | | | complex characters we all look for. The wine will |
| for a very long time. Sulphur protects the wine | | | | have to be, in effect, sterile! |
| from oxidation, and also helps to prevent | | | | Red wines are often attributed to causing severe |
| organisms from growing in the wine. It acts as a | | | | headaches and migraines. This is caused by the |
| sterilant which enables the wine to last longer, this | | | | higher tannin content as well as the higher alcohol |
| in turn allows it to develop and age helping to | | | | level in the wine. The higher your blood alcohol |
| produce those complex flavours we love. If | | | | level, the worse your headache or migraine will be. |
| sulphites were not added, the wine could turn into | | | | How can you reduce or avoid getting headaches |
| vinegar in a very short time. | | | | after drinking wine? |
| What's the problem with sulphites? | | | | Do not take aspirin as this will combine with the |
| Allergies to sulphites are a problem for some wine | | | | wine to cause serious damage to the lining of |
| drinkers, and a few people also suffer serious | | | | your stomach. |
| headaches or even migraines from sulphite traces. | | | | There are a few measures you can take to avoid |
| White wines usually have more sulphites than red | | | | headaches: |
| wines. | | | | - The headache is largely due to dehydration, so |
| How can we remedy the sulphite issue? | | | | drinking plenty of water is important. Matching |
| Very simply. By using clean grapes and good | | | | each glass of wine with a glass of water is |
| winemaking practices, the need for sulphites will | | | | sensible but easier said than done! |
| be reduced as there will be less bacteria to | | | | - Drink the wine with food, not on its own. This |
| combat. The wines should be closely monitored | | | | will slow down the rate at which the alcohol |
| during and after fermentation for off-flavours - | | | | reaches your brain. Food will reduce the alcohol |
| the cleaner the wine is, the lower the amount of | | | | that is presented to your liver and make it easier |
| sulphur required. So, the winemaker is responsible | | | | to break it down. |
| for the hygiene of his wine and the addition of | | | | - Drink in moderation, and this certainly applies to |
| sulphur to that wine. Poorer wines tend to contain | | | | wine. |
| higher levels in order to stabilise them. | | | | - Adhere to the recommended daily allowance |
| Which styles of wine usually contain more sulphur? | | | | (3-4 glasses for men, 1-2 for women), and you |
| Sweeter wines often contain more sulphur | | | | are unlikely to get a headache. |
| because the higher sugar level needs to be | | | | Wine is one of the great pleasures of life. Drink |
| controlled. If there is insufficient sulphur in the | | | | sensibly and suffer not! Drink copious quantities of |
| wine, a secondary fermentation could occur which | | | | water, and choose the best bottle of wine you |
| would result in the sugar being turned in to carbon | | | | can afford - quality is better than quantity! |