Why Does Wine Give Me a Headache and What Can I Do About It?

Wine headaches are a commonly reported phenomenon that can be frustrating for casual drinkers and wine enthusiasts alike. While this is most commonly reported after consuming red wines, any type of wine has the potential to produce headaches. 

What in Wine Causes Headaches?

There are many different components of wine that can cause headaches. Other factors such as your chosen type of wine, the amount of wine you drink, and personal biological factors and conditions can further impact the frequency and severity of wine headaches. 

Alcohol

The higher the alcohol, the greater the potential for headaches. Alcohol — any alcohol — dilates the blood vessels in your brain and can cause a headache. Drinking highly alcoholic wine on an empty stomach or in the absence of water may cause a headache in as little as 15 minutes. Consider choosing a lower-alcohol wine or at least try to stay hydrated and drink a glass of water between glasses of wine.

Tannins

Tannins are naturally present in the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes. There are typically more tannins in red wine than in white or rosé, although this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Extended skin contact will extract more tannins from the grapes, and mass-produced wines often have tannin added to preserve color, add structure, and flesh out the mouthfeel. If tannin is the cause, we could assume that choosing lighter, low-tannin wines would help prevent headaches. Many white wines and certain reds like Gamay and Pinot Noir are relatively low in tannins. 

Sulfites

Some people are allergic or highly sensitive to sulfites in wine. There are legal limits to how much sulfur dioxide gas can be added to wine, and it’s always below the taste threshold. However, if you know you’re allergic to sulfur, try to choose organic or low-intervention wines to minimize your exposure. If you’re getting headaches from red wine and not white, it’s not likely a sulfur issue. White wine always has more added sulfur than red wine.

Histamines

Histamines are present in grape skins and more predominantly in red wines because of how they are made. Red wine spends time resting on the skins to extract color and tannin, while white wine is filtered off the skins immediately after pressing. 

An exception to this rule would be skin-contact wines (also known as orange wines), which are white wines that get extended skin contact. Histamines may initiate an allergic reaction in some people. Also, alcohol inhibits the enzyme in our body that breaks down histamine. Some people lack this enzyme naturally, resulting in high blood histamine levels and dilated blood vessels, and potentially causing severe headaches. 

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant pigment that is found in high concentrations in many types of red wine. This pigment can slow the metabolism of alcohol and result in a build-up of acetaldehyde. In turn, acetaldehyde can cause headaches, as well as many other issues. 

Red Wine Headache

Red wine headaches are the most commonly reported types of wine headaches. For some people, even small amounts of red wine can produce headaches soon after consumption. Some individuals with a sensitivity to red wine may even suffer from migraines as a result of consuming red wine. 

White Wine Headache

While not as commonly reported as red wine headaches, white wine can also produce headaches. Red wines typically have higher levels of tannins, histamines, and alcohol, but these are still present in white wine. Meanwhile, white wines typically have larger amounts of added sulfites. Furthermore, the content of these various components depends on the specific type of wine. For example, many Chardonnays contain more tannins and alcohol than a typical white wine. 

Champagne Headache

While champagne and other sparkling wines are not cited as headache culprits as often as red wines, they still can cause headaches, as they contain all the components that are often found in abundance in red wine. Additionally, mass-produced sparkling wines often contain substantial added sugars, which can cause headaches due to a sudden change in blood sugar levels. 

Why Am I Suddenly Getting Headaches From Wine?

There are many reasons why you may become more susceptible to wine headaches over time. In part, this can be down to the typical effects of aging, including reduced ability to metabolize alcohol and decreased water in the body that can dilute various compounds. It may also be the result of adult-onset allergies or sensitivities. 

Can Old Wine Make You Sick?

Typically, over-aged or poorly stored wine will simply oxidize and turn to vinegar. While it may taste bad, this is typically not dangerous. However, it is also possible for bacteria or other microbes to find their way into wine and cause spoilage. Signs of dangerous spoilage include odd color changes, unpleasant smells, sour flavors, and unexpected bubbling. 

Wine Headache Cures

The right cure for wine headaches for you will depend on the specific underlying cause for you as an individual. However, there are several cures that often meet success, including:

• Hydrate well.

• Eat before drinking wine. 

• Maintain a nutrient-rich diet. 

• Lay down.

• Ensure you are well-rested.

• Reduce stress. 

• Spend time in a quiet, darkened room.

• Consider an over-the-counter pain reliever. 

• Reduce wine consumption.

• Strategically choose wines with lower levels of the components that you are sensitive to. 

If an allergy is the underlying cause of your headaches, you may be able to more successfully manage wine headaches if you see an allergist to determine what ingredients you may be reacting to. 

Wine That Does Not Give You a Headache

As mentioned, choosing a wine that will be less likely to cause headaches will depend on what ingredients you are reacting to. However, there are several types of wines that are known to be less likely to produce headaches for various reasons. These include lighter white wines, sparkling wines, and low-sugar wines. Red wine drinkers may have some success choosing lighter reds. It is also often helpful to choose higher-quality wines, as they are less likely to include cheap additives. As such, good choices may include:

• Sauvignon Blanc;

• Riesling;

• Pinot Grigio;

• Moscato;

• Prosecco;

• Pinot Noir;

• Grenache;

• Zinfandel.

Another way to determine what wines are less likely to trigger headaches for you is to simply test several types out. A subscription service that provides various options is a good way to affordably sample a wide variety of wines.