🍷 Why Wine Gives You Headaches (And No, It’s Probably Not the Sulfites)

Ever sip wine and end up with a raging headache? You’re not alone—and no, you’re not cursed. The truth is, wine headaches are real, but the reason behind them isn’t as simple as most people think.

Let’s break down the 7 sneaky reasons your glass of vino might be making your head throb—and spoiler: it’s probably not the sulfites.

1. Histamines

Found in grape skins—especially in reds—they can dilate blood vessels and mess with your head, literally.

Histamines are compounds naturally found in fermented foods, including wine. Red wine is especially rich in them due to skin contact during fermentation. In your body, histamines act like messengers in your immune and nervous systems—but too much can trigger dilated blood vessels, inflammation, and migraines.

Some people lack enough diamine oxidase (DAO), the enzyme that breaks down histamines. If your body can’t keep up, histamines build up—and cue the headache, flushing, or even a racing heart.

Best bet? Stick to low-histamine wines like dry whites or bubbly, and maybe skip the charcuterie (aged meats and cheeses are histamine bombs too).

2. Tannins

These are the bold, bitter compounds from skins and oak barrels. They can trigger serotonin, which sounds nice—unless it gives you a migraine.

Tannins are what give wine that dry, grippy feeling in your mouth. They come from grape skins, seeds, stems, and the oak barrels many wines are aged in. Tannins are loaded with polyphenols, which are usually a health plus—but they also stimulate the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to migraines in sensitive individuals.

If you notice a headache after drinking black tea or eating dark chocolate, tannins might be your personal headache trigger.

Try this: Go for low-tannin wines like Pinot Noir, Gamay (Beaujolais), or whites and rosés.

3. Sulfites

Everyone blames these, but unless you have asthma or a real allergy, they’re probably not your villain.

Sulfites are preservatives that help stabilize wine and prevent spoilage. Yes, they’re in most wines—but they’re also in dried fruit, deli meats, and French fries in even higher concentrations.

For most people, sulfites do not cause headaches. If you do react, it’s usually with asthma-like symptoms like wheezing or hives, not migraines. And ironically, white and sweet wines typically have more sulfites than reds.

So unless you’re truly sulfite-sensitive, you can cross this one off your suspect list.

4. Sugar

That sweet wine? It spikes your blood sugar, then crashes it.

High-sugar wines (like sweet reds, Moscato, or cheap blends) can cause blood sugar spikes, followed by a crash. That rollercoaster can leave you with a pounding headache, low energy, or even nausea.

And when wine is both sweet and high in alcohol, it’s a double-whammy.

5. Alcohol

And the booze? Major dehydration.

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes your body shed water and essential electrolytes. Combine that with a lack of hydration and—boom—vascular headaches, dry mouth, fatigue, and even next-day "wine flu."

The higher the alcohol content (14%+), the stronger the effect.

Pro tip: Always sip water between glasses, and don’t go into a wine night dehydrated.

6. Additives

Cheap commercial wines can be full of colorants, concentrates, and stuff they don’t even have to list. Your head = not a fan.

The wine industry isn’t required to list all ingredients—so that bottle of bargain red might include things like:

• Mega Purple (a concentrated dye to deepen color)

• Powdered tannins

• Flavor enhancers

• Fining agents like egg whites or fish bladder

These are common in mass-market wines and can cause adverse reactions or sensitivities in some drinkers.

Want to avoid the mystery mix? Look for natural, organic, or low-intervention wines that focus on transparency and clean winemaking.

7. Dehydration

Wine dries you out, especially if you’re not sipping water between glasses.

Even without high sugar or additives, wine dehydrates your system, especially if you’re drinking on an empty stomach or skipping water. Mild dehydration alone can cause that throbbing, temple-pounding pain the next morning (or even later the same night).

🛡️ How to Avoid a Wine Headache

• 💧 Drink water between glasses (the oldest trick in the book still works).

• 🍷 Choose low-alcohol, dry wines—especially whites, rosés, and light reds.

• 🌿 Look for organic, biodynamic, or natural wines with fewer additives.

• 🍽️ Always eat with your wine to slow alcohol absorption and reduce blood sugar crashes.

• 💊 If you're histamine-sensitive, consider a DAO enzyme supplement before drinking (ask your doc first).

• 🧠 Keep a wine journal and note which types trigger your headaches—knowledge is power.

Final Sip

Wine should bring joy, not pain. If you’re getting frequent headaches, don’t swear off vino just yet—experiment with different styles, stay hydrated, and pay attention to your body's signals. Your perfect pour is out there.

👉 Follow @CorkDeJour for wine tips that won’t leave you with a headache—literally.