wine
Red Wine
Tannin, histamine, sulfite trifecta
Fermented with grape skins, which extract tannins, anthocyanins, and trigger histamine production. The most reaction-prone alcoholic beverage for sensitive drinkers.
- Typical ABV
- 11.5–16%
- Base
- Red wine grapes (Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Merlot, etc.)
Category hangover index
8/10
Severe
Chemistry profile
- Congeners
- Moderate
- Histamines
- Very High
- Polyphenols
- Very High
- Sulfites
- High
- Tannins
- Very High
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Moderate
Red wine is the headache-and-flush leader. Even moderate drinkers report symptoms within an hour. The combination of biogenic amines, polyphenols, and sulfites is uniquely reactive for sensitive nervous and immune systems.
What changes the chemistry
- ▸Skin contact extracts histamines and tannins
- ▸Malolactic fermentation generates more biogenic amines
- ▸Added SO₂ for stability
- ▸70+ additives legal without label disclosure in US
Common allergens: sulfiteshistaminestanninsegg-white finingfish bladder fining
See the healthiest red wine ranked
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