There’s something undeniably sophisticated about sipping a glass of wine after a long day. It’s the universal signal for relaxation, celebration, and great conversation. But what if that same glass leaves you with a pounding headache, a stuffy nose, or an uncomfortable flush?
If you’ve ever brushed it off as just ‘one of those things’ or assumed you’re simply getting older, let me tell you—there’s more to the story. And no, you don’t have to give up wine altogether. I wish I had known these five game-changing cheat codes at 25. They would have saved me a lot of discomfort and made my wine nights so much better.
1. The ‘Wine Hangover’ Might Not Be What You Think
We’ve all had those mornings where we wake up feeling groggy after just one or two glasses of wine. But here’s the secret: it might not be the alcohol. Sulphites, commonly added to wine as preservatives, are known to cause reactions in many people - headaches, congestion, facial flushing, and even digestive issues.
Cheat code: If wine tends to leave you feeling rough even when you drink in moderation, sulphites could be the hidden culprit. And the best part? There’s a simple way to reduce them.
2. Expensive Wine Doesn’t Mean Fewer Sulphites
I used to believe that shelling out more for a ‘good’ bottle of wine meant fewer additives. But the truth is, sulphites are present in nearly all wines, regardless of price. Even organic wines contain naturally occurring sulphites!
Cheat code: Don’t fall for the myth that price determines purity. Instead, look for ways to remove sulphites from any wine you love - which leads me to my next point…
3. You Can Remove Sulphites From Wine
This is the biggest game-changer I wish I’d known sooner. You don’t have to search for special ‘low-sulphite’ wines or give up your favourites. With a few drops of The Wine Drops, you can reduce the sulphites in your wine or sparkling wine without altering its flavour.
Cheat code: Simply add a few drops, swirl for 30 seconds, and your wine is ready to enjoy, sulphites neutralised! No more sulphite inducing headaches, congestion… just the wine - without the sulphites getting in the way.
4. White Wine Isn’t Always the ‘Safer’ Option
There’s a long-standing belief that red wine causes more reactions because of tannins, but here’s the twist - white and sparkling wines often contain even higher levels of sulphites! That means if you experience discomfort after drinking chardonnay or a crisp sauvignon blanc, sulphites might be the reason.
Cheat code: If bubbly or white wines trigger symptoms, try reducing the sulphites before assuming you need to avoid them completely.
5. You Don’t Have to ‘Grow Out of’ Enjoying Wine
As we get older, we start questioning whether we can still enjoy the things we love without consequence. Many people assume that wine-related reactions are just a natural part of ageing. But in reality, sulphite sensitivity isn’t about age - it’s about how your body processes preservatives.
Cheat code: You don’t have to stop enjoying wine - you just need a smarter way to drink it. Reducing sulphites means you can still sip, celebrate, and relax, without the side effects.
The Takeaway? Smarter Sipping = Better Wine Nights
Had I known these five things at 25, I would have saved myself countless nights of discomfort and confusion. But the best part? Now that I do know them, I never have to suffer through sulphite induced headaches again. And neither do you.
Next time you pour yourself a glass, neutralize the sulphites with The Wine Drops - because wine should be enjoyed, not endured. 🍷