What is it in white wine that gives me a headache?

[CompleteBarstool]

I thought red wine was renowned for giving you a headache but these days it seems to be white wine for me.

A friend of mine has always said that Chardonnay gives her a headache but for me it seems to be any (if I drink more than one glass).

What is it?

Any of these extras could be in your wine

@howsicklyarsekissy

Chardonnay always gives me a headache i don't touch it now it's mixed grapes. Best to stick to old worlds wine like french. Spanish Italian less mixed grapes. I found that white Pinot less headaches!

Chardonnay is a grape type. So not mixed - unless it says it is.

In France its often blended ( it’s a main grape in champagne) but often found on its own in French wine ie Chablis - its all made from Chardonnay.

Chardonnay can be strong and often oaky. It might just be that.

If it has over 10ppm Sulphites (20 ppm for cider), it legally has to be labelled and as Sulphites are included on the EU allergen list, it will be in bold text on the label somewhere as that is the required format.
New world wines also tend to be a lot higher in alcohol than old world too.

For me sulphites, though not limited to wine.
Apparently organic is better.

I’m the same with white.

I have to be quite disciplined if I want a glass - one max one and a half glasses at lunchtime only followed by lots of water all afternoon.

Red I am fine on.

I can't drink any wine anymore. I don't even miss it to be honest because of how awful it makes me feel. I thought it was sulphites, and we can get the drops you put in the glass to neutralize them, but I haven't bothered.

If I drink white or rose my gums go numb (I know, it's ridiculous) my nose blocks up and I get a headache. Actually I eat some melons, the same thing happens.

If I drink red wine, within a few days I will have a bladder and kidney infection.

I have bottles of nice wine which I know just give away or let visitors drink.

I live in one of the best wine countries too, which makes it worse as I have such an amazing choice available.

I can't believe other people get this too! We always refer to it as bastard wine head, one white wine and I'm ruined, it's messed up many lunches with friends so I actively avoid now

Sulphites might give you sinus problems.

Sulphite is always declared on wine labels, because its an allergen. I saw this weird product advertised the other day. You spray your glass with it before you fill it with wine and it neutralises the sulphite. I read the reviews and some people say its a miracle product. Others said they could taste the spray.
I have no idea what it was called, I'm afraid, but a quick Google might find it?

Its crazy how things affect us...
White wine even just a glass or two causes crazy anxiety the next day.
The same amount of Red (not on the same night obviously) = nothing
Ive just given up on the idea of a chilled glass of white on a summers afternoon ;(

I get sinus problems after one glass of any wine. Now I know why!

Red wine makes me sneeze !!

@lollipoprainbow

Red wine makes me sneeze !!

I know someone else who has the same problem!!!

Many people react badly to sulphites and other preservatives used in lower-end wine production (source: WSET diploma holder ).

Some get on better with organic wines or 'naked wines, which are produced without any artificial preservatives. However, they're expensive and often not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

Gin?

Sulphites - try organic wine; it’s renowned for not giving a headache/hangover (I used work in a wine merchant & this was well known)

I’ve seen something advertised that you add to the glass of wine to neutralise the sulphites but it doesn’t affect the taste too. Can’t remember what it was called though. Off to Google! I like wine too much to give up on this!

I can never predict which wines will make me all stuffy headed but it’s a good tip about sticking to European wines like French and Italian. Will try that.

Thanks everyone.

I'm going to start checking the labels and maybe try and find a nice organic one

There is product called sulfree, I think it’s from the Netherlands, that you add to wine and it changes the sulphites into sulphates (or something, I can’t remember the science) and hey presto! No more white wine headache

It has been a game changer for me and means I can re kindle my love for Prosecco headache free

White wine makes me queasy the day after. I find I’m better with organic wine.

I can't touch white, for the same reason. Whatever it is that makes me migrainy, I can almost taste it.

There's a taste in white wine that I associate with headaches.

Try an organic wine.....see if you get same headache

I have this too, although I now don't drink very much at all so can't pinpoint the worst culprit. I now stick to French wine (and British) and find that I mostly feel fine after a glass. Organic has the best effect (ie, none) but I haven't found one that I really like at the right price yet.

Prosecco is the absolute worst. Crémant is a great alternative, not as cheap but infinitely better for my head.

I'm not really a fan of Prosecco TBH. I haven't drunk more than one glass of it at a time so I'm not sure if it would have the same effect.

Judging by this thread it would probably give a headache though

Hate Prosecco. Agree it’s the worst. I refuse to drink it. Cremant is lovely though.