A Guide to Finding Low Histamine Wines – Headache-Free Wine?

Battling wine headaches – here are some tips to help you understand and avoid the histamine headache.

If you’re someone who loves wine but dreads the inevitable wine headache, you’re not alone. Wine headaches are different from hangovers, and they can be frustrating, especially when they seem to strike even after just one glass. While hangovers are mainly caused by alcohol, wine headaches are often linked to histamines and sulfites found in the wine.

Let’s dive into what causes these headaches and how you can reduce your chances of experiencing them.

Understanding the Difference Between Wine Headaches and Hangovers

A wine headache isn’t quite the same as a wine hangover. While hangovers are typically caused by excessive alcohol, wine headaches can show up after just a small amount of wine and tend to be more common after drinking red wine rather than white. If this sounds familiar, it’s likely you’re sensitive to histamines or sulfites in the wine, not necessarily the alcohol.

What Are Histamines, and How Do They Affect Wine Headaches?

Histamines are compounds that our bodies naturally produce, but they’re also found in certain foods and drinks, including wine. They’re responsible for common allergy-like symptoms such as headaches, congestion, and itching. While our bodies are built to handle some histamine exposure, too much can overwhelm our system and trigger those pesky wine headaches.

Even if you don’t typically suffer from allergies, you might still react to histamines in wine if they build up faster than your body can process them. This histamine overload is often the culprit behind those pounding headaches after a glass of red wine.

Tips to Avoid Wine Headaches

#1 Choose Wines from Quality Producers

One way to reduce the chance of getting a wine headache is by selecting wines made by producers who focus on healthy practices in the vineyard and winery. The main reason comes down to the microorganisms found on the grapes and in the soil, which can influence the fermentation process. Histamines are primarily found in grape skins, so wines made from healthy grapes tend to have fewer unwanted compounds, including histamines.

Tip: Red wines, which are fermented with grape skins, typically have higher histamine levels than white wines.

#2 Look for Wines That Skip Malolactic Fermentation

Another way to avoid histamine overload is by choosing wines that don’t undergo malolactic fermentation. During this process, lactic acid bacteria can increase the production of histamines and other compounds that contribute to headaches. Wineries that carefully control this process or skip it altogether can reduce the amount of histamine in the final product.

Tip: Wines that don’t undergo malolactic fermentation may have fewer histamines, leading to fewer headaches.

#3 Opt for Wines Fermented in Stainless Steel

The fermentation vessel can also play a role in how many histamines end up in your wine. Wines fermented in stainless steel allow winemakers to better control the fermentation temperature. Lower temperatures mean fewer compounds, like histamines, are extracted from grape skins during fermentation.

Tip: Wines fermented at lower temperatures in stainless steel may have lower histamine levels.

How Üllo Can Help You Avoid Wine Headaches

While these tips can help, wine will always contain some level of histamines. That’s where Üllo comes in. Our patented filters are designed to remove most sulfites and histamines from your wine, helping you enjoy your favorite bottle without the risk of a headache.

Üllo’s filters work to purify your wine, leaving behind the natural flavors while reducing the compounds that cause discomfort. So, whether you’re sensitive to histamines or just want to avoid the dreaded wine headache, Üllo can help you enjoy wine as it was meant to be enjoyed—without the pain.

Final Thoughts on Wine Headaches

While histamines in wine can trigger headaches, understanding their source and choosing wines that undergo minimal fermentation or use healthier practices can help reduce their effects. For an extra layer of protection, Üllo’s wine purifiers offer a simple, effective solution to filter out histamines and sulfites, allowing you to enjoy your wine without worrying about a headache.

Say goodbye to wine headaches and raise a glass to better wine experiences! Cheers!