Why does wine in Italy not give you a headache?

That's the assumption many folks make, especially if they have had wine in Europe without getting headaches. The truth is that European wines typically contain the same sulfite levels as American wines. The difference is that Europe doesn't have a law requiring wineries to place a sulfite warning on their labels.
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Why does Italian wine not cause headaches?

This is the time of year when people tell me, as they return from their European vacations, that they drank bottle after bottle of wine with their meals and "never got a headache." They explain this miracle by saying that wines in Europe "do not contain sulfites," unlike wines sold in the U.S., the labels of which ...
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Why does good wine not give you a headache?

Culprit One – Tannins:

You experience the effect of tannins any time you drink a wine that creates a drying sensation in your mouth, and for the majority of us, tannins create no headache at all. In fact, tannins are a great antioxidant source.
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Are there less sulfites in Italian wine?

Wines sold in the United States have the “contains sulfites” note on wine labels, but wines sold in Italy do not, simply because labeling laws differ from country to country. So the same wine—with the same amount of sulfites—will or won't carry that warning, depending on where it is sold.
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What wine does not give you a headache?

You can try wines that are naturally lower in tannins, such as white wines in general, as well as red wines from grapes that are typically thinner-skinned and lower in tannins, like Pinot Noir.
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Why Does Wine Give Me a Headache?



Why does pinot grigio give me a headache?

Grape skins contain histamine. White wine is made without the grape skin, so it has a lower histamine content than red wine, which is made from the whole grape. A histamine sensitivity could make you more susceptible to a headache.
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What ingredient in wine causes headaches?

Tannins, another grape-skin constituent, could be at fault. Tannins are plant chemicals that impart flavor to red wines and contain antioxidants. But they also spur the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which at high levels can cause headaches in some people.
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Why does European wine not give you a hangover?

So what explains the headache-free European wine drinking experience? It might be related to alcohol levels – European wines usually have less alcohol than American wines. So enjoy your wine whether you're home or abroad, and rest assured that it's the sulfites that keep your wine happy, healthy and delicious.
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Are Italian wines healthier?

Italian Wine Lowers Cholesterol

Antioxidants in Italian wine are proven to stop bad cholesterol from accumulating, as well as lowering the risk of blood clots and diabetes. The procyanidins in red wine that promote a healthy heart also promote lower cholesterol.
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Is wine in Italy different?

In any foreign country you'll find wines that aren't exported to the United States. They might be small-production wines, or made in a style more popular with locals than with Americans, but there's nothing inherently or legally different about wines made abroad for domestic consumption vs. those made for export.
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What type of wine has the least tannins?

Red Wines With Low Tannins
  • Pinot Noir – Pinot Noir grapes are known for their thin-skin, therefore creating a wine that is very low in tannins, as well as light in body.
  • Dolcetto – Dolcetto grapes are found in Piedmont, Italy. ...
  • Barbera – Barbera is another native Italian grape.
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What wine has no sulfites?

Top 5: Wines Without Sulfites
  • Frey Vineyards Natural Red NV, California ($9) ...
  • Cascina Degli Ulivi Filagnotti 2009, Piedmont ($22) ...
  • Domaine Valentin Zusslin Crémant Brut Zéro, Alsace ($25) ...
  • Donkey & Goat The Prospector Mourvèdre 2010 ($30), California. ...
  • Château Le Puy Côtes de Francs 2006, Bordeaux ($42)
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What wine does not have tannins?

With a physician's approval, unoaked white wines like Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Grigios and Rieslings would be the first place to start for someone with tannin sensitivity. Rosés, which are made from red grapes but do not get much contact with the skins, are also much less tannic than traditional red wines.
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Does Italian wine have tannins?

The terroir of the more internationally renowned Italian wines, such as Barolo and Barbaresco and Chianti and Brunello, naturally yield wines with high tannins and crispness.
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Why does wine in Italy taste better?

The Italians prefer wine that has lower alcohol levels, a lighter body and generally has higher acidity and therefore, this will generally taste better to a lot of people.
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Why do sulfites cause headaches?

But experts say sulfites, which can trigger asthma and allergic reactions, probably don't cause wine headaches. The real culprit? Likely histamine, which dilates blood vessels, or perhaps tyramine, which constricts and then dilates them — and both are naturally found in wine.
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What is the healthiest wine you can drink?

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is considered the healthiest red wine you can drink. Unlike many of the reds on this list, Pinot grapes have a thin skin, so Pinot Noir has low tannins but high levels of resveratrol.
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Why is cannonau so healthy?

Cardiovascular Can-Do with Cannonau

Cannonau wine has two to three times the level of artery-scrubbing flavonoids as other wines. Small doses of this antioxidant-rich beverage throughout the day could explain fewer heart attacks and lower levels of stress among men in this region of the world.
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What is red cannonau wine?

Cannonau wine is a red wine made on the island of Sardinia, Italy. It's made from the Grenache grape, and the wine is typically dry and high in tannins. These tannins are thought to be the source of powerful antioxidant properties, which help prevent disease and aging.
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Do French wines have sulfites?

French red wines contain an average of 60 mg/L of sulfur dioxide, while French white wines carry around 90 mg/L. However, some French wines carry the possibility of containing low amounts of sulfite.
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Which white wines have the least amount of sulfites?

white wine, a nice bottle of Tempranillo or Syrah should be lower in sulfites than a Pinot Grigio.
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What gets rid of wine headache?

The most important thing you need to do is drink water. Go to the faucet right now and force yourself to drink 2 glasses of water. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce your headache. Most people will take ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to take away a headache.
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Which white wine is lowest in histamines?

Try drinking dry whites like Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling wines like Cava or Prosecco as they are lower in histamines than red wines.
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Why does Prosecco give me a headache?

“Once in the bloodstream the Co2 competes with oxygen which is why you might feel a little woozy and rather drunk rather quickly leading to an exaggerated hangover in the form of a pounding head.”
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Why do California wines give me a headache?

While sulfites or histamines might be to blame, it could also simply be that wine is a diuretic which can dehydrate the body, resulting in a headache, or that wines with a lot of sugar can cause your blood sugar levels to drop and in turn cause a headache.
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