Hype or Not: Wine Purifiers and Sulfite Removers To Avoid Headaches

Do you have a possible allergy to red wine? Do you get a headache after imbibing? Years ago when I was taking my Wine and Spirits Trust certification I learned from my instructor that if you have an allergy to dried fruit, which uses sulfites as a preservative, then it’s sulfites in wine that trigger your headache too.

The only way to avoid the headache is to avoid sulfites – if you are truly allergic to them – so you can try organic wine that doesn’t use preservatives, or imported wine that doesn’t have to use sulfites by law for preservatives.
Another idea is that it’s the tannins in red wine that effect your histamines, drying you out so to speak, and leave you with a headache. Drinking a glass of water for every glass of wine is something to try so you can continue to enjoy your favorite wines.
I also think that having a headache can be the simple result of over-imbibing. Try cutting down without cutting wine out completely.
Moving forward, with a true allergy to sulfites or a problem with tannins, there are some removers and purifiers being offered to the public promising to help. To research that I reached out to winemakers and collectors, to see who has used any of these products and what their recommendations are.
I asked: Have you tried any sulfite remover systems that work for people that have true sulfite allergies? (By true sulfite allergies I’m referring to those that suffer with headaches after they eat anything using sulfites as a preservative such as in dried fruit. Sulfite removers do nothing to lower tannins, or the effects of alcohol itself when over imbibing.)

These are the answers. (Due to space I’ve limited this section)

“Hi Eve, Hope you are well!  Love your Instagram posts.  I just had a discussion at the Rhone Rangers tasting at Cline Cellars with a guest who mentioned this topic.  His daughter suffers from migraines and has had success using the UB free drops in her wine https://us.ubfreewine.com/.
Even though I have been a migraine sufferer for 50 years, I have doubts about sulfites causing headaches in wine.  I have researched it extensively and feel that histamines are the main culprit.  I have no issues with my wines, which contain low amounts of sulfites, however, red wines have higher histamine levels and I can benefit from a Benadryl tablet taken before the tasting.  It makes for a sleepy wine tasting but helps me a lot. Most articles I’ve read agree with this Vine Pair article on the subject.” Susan Tipton, Owner/Winemaker, Acquiesce Winery

“Hi Eve, A few drops of peroxide will pretty much eliminate the SO2 and egg white protein will bind a bit of the tannins. I have never tried a system but the chemistry is sound.” Gary Warburton, Enologist, Phifer Pavitt Winery

“My friend who is Australian said that there they sell a sulfite remover in a drop form. Add a few to your glass and they (headaches) are gone.” Jayne C., wine enthusiast

On Tannins: At the Wine In The Pines event I actually was asking about this subject. And tasted the low tannin varieties. Did they work: They did help with less headaches. Jilayne B., wine enthusiast

Conclusion: I hope this information helps you in making a more educated choice if you are allergic to sulfites. According to WebMD: Sulfites are chemicals that are in some foods, either naturally or as additives. It’s rare, but some people (about 1 in 100, according to the FDA) are sensitive to these compounds.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

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