wine
White Wine
Lower tannin, higher sulfites
Fermented without skins. Less histamine and tannin than red, but typically more added SO₂ to keep it stable and pale.
- Typical ABV
- 10–14.5%
- Base
- White wine grapes (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, etc.)
Category hangover index
6/10
Heavy
Chemistry profile
- Congeners
- Low
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- Very High
- Tannins
- Low
- Sugar
- Moderate
- Additives
- Moderate
White wine is the asthma-and-sinus alcohol. Lower histamine than red, but the higher sulfite dose drives the reactions. Sweet styles double-tap with sugar load.
What changes the chemistry
- ▸Higher SO₂ levels than red for color stability
- ▸Sweet styles (Riesling, Moscato) add sugar load
- ▸Oaked Chardonnay picks up barrel tannins
- ▸Fining agents (egg, milk, fish) rarely disclosed
Common allergens: sulfitesresidual sugarfining agents
See the healthiest white wine ranked
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