299453 Tue Dec 14 15:27:12 -0800 2004 13 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1659029 I'm quite fortunate in that I rarely suffer the morning-after effects of wine/alcohol that afflicts some people, but just last week I had a Chilean Red that gave me a pretty bad headache in the morning (at least, I believe that's what caused it). A friend of mine suggests that the problem may be due to pesticide content in Chilean grapes and whatnot... but I was wondering if anyone else had an opinion on this matter. On a slightly different note, do you know of cases where certain wines give you headaches or unappealing side-effects while others do not? Tue Dec 14 15:27:12 -0800 2004 0 Curtis 1 1659031 I was told by a wine maker a long time ago that wines have histamines in them and reds more so than white. He suggested taking an antihistamine. I've not had a wine headache since. Tue Dec 14 15:33:02 -0800 2004 1659029 0 Candy 2 1659036 Candy, I hope you're not drinking the wine and taking the antihistamine, then driving! The depressant effect of the alcohol, combined with the soporific effect of the antihistamine could potentially cause a dangerous situation behind the wheel (as if drinking alone weren't enough). Be careful! Tue Dec 14 15:54:40 -0800 2004 1659031 0 LisaM 3 1659040 I don't drink and drive. Tue Dec 14 16:07:09 -0800 2004 1659036 0 Candy 4 1659045 Yeah, you might hit a bump and spill the drink!!!! Tue Dec 14 16:23:11 -0800 2004 1659040 0 Jesse 3 1659215 I don't know if getting headaches and getting flushed while drinking are from the same cause, but I have friends who swear by Pepcid or Zantac to prevent flushing (no experiences with headaches, though). Those medicines block a different histamine receptor than medicines like Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec etc. And they don't make you drowsy. Thu Dec 16 12:51:15 -0800 2004 1659036 0 Noonoo 1 1659035 Sulfates or Sulfites used to be a cause of wine headaches. Pesticides are often mentioned in non US agriculture. I would hope the USDA checks on out of the country pesticide contamination. Much of the pesticide comments I have read have greed or racist orgins, sort of like the Heineken Distributor telling liquor store people, Corona Beer contains urine. If Chilian pesticide use (and headaches) bother you, please consider purchasing domestic wine. Tue Dec 14 15:54:36 -0800 2004 1659029 0 Alan408 2 1659046 Best advice yet! Tue Dec 14 16:23:37 -0800 2004 1659035 0 Jesse 2 1659052 As long as I don't get headaches, cancer, what have you... I don't really care if they put turpentine in it, I am more curious about possible causes, though. Tue Dec 14 16:42:52 -0800 2004 1659035 0 Curtis 1 1659050 I suffer from several migraines a month, but miss my red wine. When I want a glass with a special dinner, I use Chaser Plus for Wine Headaches. Works pretty well for champagne occasions, as well (within reason, of course). Link: http://www.winechaser.com/ Tue Dec 14 16:41:59 -0800 2004 1659029 0 Lily 1 1659074 My husband shuns red wine because it gives him headaches the morning after. A while back, I mentioned this to the wine expert at our local liquor store, who said it's not an uncommon reaction. He suggested seeking out wines whose label said "carbonic maceration" or "whole berry fermentation". His recommendations: --Beaujolais (any except Latour) --Rosemount Shiraz/Grenache --Montevina Brioso Zinfandel --Willamette Pinot Noir FWIW, husband says these wines (the first two, anyway; don't think he's tried the others) do mitigate the headaches. He's not a big red wine fan anyway, so hasn't experimented too much. Tue Dec 14 21:31:43 -0800 2004 1659029 0 Head Gazelle 1 1659292 I suffer from migrainse quite frequently and my usual rule of thumb is the dryer the winer, the worse the headache. I believe the sulfites/tannins quotient is the cause. By the way, wine makes you flush (and warm) because it thins your blood vessels. Antihistamines have nothing whatsoever that could combat it, and really should be avoided while drinking --> There's the potential for you to fall into a coma or have liver failure if you imbibe too much. Fri Dec 17 10:30:40 -0800 2004 1659029 0 Kevin 1 1660603 My problem is with pinot noir. It's probably my favorite but within twenty minutes after drinking a glass I get an horrendous headache. Every time. Not other wine, red or otherwise does this. As much as I like pinot noir I never, repeat never, drink it anymore. Anyone have a take on this? How is this different from the "red wine headache"? Tue Jan 04 22:30:32 -0800 2005 1659029 0 Ed 1 1660604 My problem is with pinot noir. It's probably my favorite but within twenty minutes after drinking a glass I get an horrendous headache. Every time. Not other wine, red or otherwise does this. As much as I like pinot noir I never, repeat never, drink it anymore. Anyone have a take on this? How is this different from the "red wine headache"? Tue Jan 04 22:30:49 -0800 2005 1659029 0 Ed