Fruit and other food stuff also contain histamine. (Photo: Zerbor/stock.adobe.com)

Histamine is a chemical released by our immune system. Many wine drinkers associate it with allergic symptoms, including headaches, runny noses, and hives. These reactions can result from a deficiency of the histamine-degrading enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) or an imbalance between histamine production and breakdown.

However, histamine's primary role is to regulate the sleep-wake cycle and influence cognitive function. Histamines occur naturally in wine and are found in grape skins, oak and other surfaces. Many winemakers don't test for histamine levels because they are low enough to be 'safe' without testing.

Headaches are also associated with the presence of sulfur dioxide. Click here to learn more.

People with histamine intolerance have limited wine options. Only a small number of wine producers offer wines with 'histamine-checked' levels. In Europe, due to labeling regulations, wines with levels below 0.1 mg/L are considered 'histamine-free wine' but may not be labeled as such. Producers who test their wines for histamine usually indicate the levels on the labels, signaling low histamine content.

Some doctors advise their patients to maintain a low histamine diet of eating only histamine-free food before drinking wine. It may ensure that the food does not have a negative reaction to the alcohol and leading symptoms of rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure or a sharp pain in the chest. Of course, the tolerance levels of the amount of histamine are different in each individual.

Efficient Wine Production Cycles

To achieve low histamine levels, winemakers process the grapes rapidly and avoid skin contact, while maintaining near-sterile working conditions. Additionally, winemakers can influence histamine levels through the ripeness of the grapes and the selection of yeast. Both biological acid degradation and alcoholic fermentation affect histamine formation and levels.

Finally, maturing the wines for a short time in stainless steel vessels rather than oak can reduce histamine levels. Wooden barrels, such as Barriques or Stückfässer, naturally increase histamine levels in wine.

When selecting wine, it is often better to choose white or rosé wines, as both styles involve little to no skin contact. In contrast, red wine gains its color from extended extraction, which increases histamine levels. However, even with histamine-reduced or histamine-free wine, there is no guarantee it will not cause an allergic reaction.

Peter Douglas