Q&A: Wine & Food Questions
White wine versus red wine and its effects
I prefer red wines but do enjoy whites. I have become aware that when I drink reds I am much more suseptable of a headache and hangover like symptoms in the morning, where as whites I don't experience this. What is the deal?
Answer From Expert Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
Could I refer you to another recent question regarding a person who has a bad reaction to Chardonnay? I provided a rather long answer that may be helpful. Beyond the points made in that answer, let me comment on the possibility that you may have a mild sensitivity to sulfites, which perhaps could cause a headache. As a general rule, however, red wines have lower concentrations of sulfites than white wines. Winemakers tend to add less sulfur dioxide to reds since they are "protected" by higher phenolic content. In short, this is unlikely to be an explanation.
About The Expert
Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade as an importer and retailer, and at present he is an educator, speaker and consultant. He set up and managed Millesima USA, a New York merchant affiliated with Europe's leader in direct sales of fine wines to consumers. Previously, he served as senior executive of Frederick Wildman & Sons, traveling regularly around the world to visit wineries and taste the new vintage from barrel. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993.
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