Allergies vs. Intolerances: What is causing trouble in your body?

A true wine allergy (for example, to grape proteins or yeast) is extremely rare. Far more common is an intolerance to specific components of wine. Simply put, the body cannot break them down fast enough. The most frequent triggers include:

1. Histamine and biogenic amines
Histamine is a natural substance formed during the fermentation and aging of wine. If you have a deficiency of the DAO enzyme, which breaks down histamine in the body, even a small amount of wine will cause an immediate reaction (known as histamine intolerance or HIT).

• Symptoms: Flushed cheeks and neck (flush), migraines, runny nose, digestive issues.

2. Sulfites (Sulfur dioxide / SO₂)
Sulfur is added to wine as a preservative and stabilizer against oxidation. Although it is blamed for most headaches, true sulfite sensitivity affects only about 1% of the population (often asthmatics).

• Symptoms: Shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, hives.

3. Fining agents (Allergens from milk or eggs)
In conventional production, wine is often clarified (fined) using egg whites, casein (milk protein), or isinglass (fish collagen). Although only trace amounts remain in the final wine, severe allergy sufferers can still react to them.

How to choose a safe wine? 4 golden rules

If you want to drink without worries or consequences, focus on the following types of wines when shopping:

1. Look for certified low-histamine wines
Some winemakers now produce wines using a specially controlled fermentation and hygiene process, keeping histamine levels to an absolute minimum (often below 0.5 mg/l or even below the laboratory detection limit). These wines are completely safe for people with HIT.

2. White wine takes precedence over red
In general, red wines contain significantly more histamine than white or rosé wines. This is because red wines ferment longer with the skins and almost always undergo so-called malolactic fermentation, during which bacteria produce histamine. If you have a more sensitive system, reach for a young, crisp white wine from a stainless-steel tank instead.

3. Bet on wines with no added sulfur (Authentic and Natural wines)
In our e-shop, we focus on natural and organic wines. Many natural winemakers work entirely without added sulfur or use it in minimal amounts (only before bottling). While ordinary conventional wines can contain hundreds of milligrams of sulfites per liter, with natural wines you are in the range of tens or single digits of milligrams.

4. Opt for VEGAN wines(Free from animal allergens)
If you are concerned about milk or egg allergies, look for wines labeled Vegan. Natural winemakers usually do not fine the wine at all (allowing it to settle naturally by gravity) or use plant-based alternatives like bentonite (natural clay).

Final tip for worry-free enjoyment

Every body is unique, and tolerance levels vary. If you struggle with intolerances, we recommend starting with certified low-histamine white wines or natural wines with completely no added sulfur. You will see that pure nature in a bottle tastes great and you will wake up with a clear head in the morning.