Why Red Wine Gives You Headaches and What to Do About It

So you’re sipping a glass of Pinot Noir and suddenly *bam* headache. You Google, “Is it the sulfites?” Let me stop you right there: probably not.

Back in 2019, when I was working as a social media coordinator, someone commented on one of our posts: “I love your red wines and wanted to know why they don’t give me headaches like the others do.” Naturally, I asked the winemaker at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery what was up. His response? Histamines. Or you’re just not hydrating enough between pours. Fair enough.

Wait, what’s a histamine again?

Histamines are chemical compounds your body releases when it thinks it’s under attack. Like when you pet a cat and sneeze twelve times. They’re also found in a bunch of fermented foods like sauerkraut, aged cheese, and yes, wine. Red wines tend to have more histamines than whites, which could explain why you can throw back Sauvignon Blanc just fine but Merlot has you reaching for the Advil.

Not all red wines have the same amount of histamines either. It can depend on how the wine was made. So some reds might be totally fine for you, while others knock you sideways.

So it’s not the sulfites?

Nope. If sulfites were the culprit, your headache would also come from eating dried mango, lunch meat, or dipping your fries in ketchup. In fact, white wines typically have more sulfites than reds.

Sulfites are naturally occurring and also added to wine to help preserve it. Only about 1% of the population is actually sensitive to them. If you snack on dried fruit without issue, you’re probably in the 99% who can sip sulfite-packed wine just fine.

And yes, all wine bottles say “Contains sulfites.” That’s not a warning—it’s a label to protect that small 1%. Not a conspiracy. Just food safety.

Okay, how do I stop red wine from ruining my night?

Well, you could stop drinking red wine. But let’s be real, if you’re like me—lactose intolerant and still happily ordering a cheese board, you’re not quitting Cabernet anytime soon.

Here’s what might help:

• Drink a glass of water between each glass of wine. It keeps you hydrated.

• Try drinking more white wine than red if reds tend to wreck you.

• If you’re really determined, try taking an antihistamine an hour before drinking red wine just like allergy folks do before hanging out with their friends’ fluffy cats.

But let me give the standard disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. Check with yours before popping pills in the name of Pinot.