Dr. Richard E. Hawkins > wrote:

> In article >,
> Joe Sallustio > wrote:
>
>
> >I am not a chemist and not an authority on hystamines but it does turn
> >out there is some research that has been done on this subject. You
> >might want to get access to Yair Margalits 'Concepts in Wine
> >Chemistry', pages 342-343. To sum up, grapes do not contain
> >hystamines and processing methods do not seem to affect hystamine
> >production. Niether does fermentation. They seem to appear after
> >malolactic fermentation, but not in all ML wines. They usually appear
> >in higher levels in reds than whites, but that makes sense, more reds
> >go through ML. He gives a few references for more info too. The
> >theory is that another bacteria that likes the conditions present
> >during ML might cause the hystamine production. The levels are pretty
> >low, reds are 5.7, whites around 3.3 mg/l.
>
> So is that what was getting me? I finally tied the "hangovers" to my
> sinuses (sinuii?? . I didn't think I should feel that way after
> sharing a single bottle with my wife (and a time or two wondered if
> somehow I'd managed to forget drinking an aweful lot).
>
> Eventually I realized just where I hurt, and tried psuedophedrine, which
> did more than the aspirin. By bits and pieces, I'm learning which table
> wines to avoid (Forestville seems to be bad for me).
>
> However, I seem to have gotten this more from whites than reds. And I
> won't go *near* Chilean reds any more . . .
>
> Oh, and lower end (but still not rot-gut) distilled liquors, too.
>
> hawk

I too have experienced an effect whilest drinking Chiliean Merlot with a
meal! However, it was a very fine tasting wine. The effect is similar to
migrane. The hystamines cause pressure in the head, but in my case it
affects the aural and balance nerves in the inner ear.

There is a possible connection with your sinuses. I think red wine does
dehydrate you more and I know my nose tends to "bung up" as a result of
over indulging!

--
Thanks and regards, Shane.
"A closed mouth gatheres no feet!"
Email: Beware the invalid word! shane at wonk demon dot co dot uk
Website: http://www.wonk.demon.co.uk/