h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am pretty damn sure now that red wine has unpleasant adverse affects on me. I only had a couple of glasses, but it leaves me... somewhat... blocked up the following day. White wine- no problem. Does anyone know the chemical differences and why they would affect me differently?

It'll probably be the tannin in the red wine that's doing it.

A friend of my fathers said that there are "congenors" in red wine, but I don't know what they are.

How much tanin is there in red wine?

Lots. It, I think, comes from the skin of the grapes and is known to cause intestinal troubles.

Not all red wine has tannin. The tannin gives it that sharp after-taste. Some fruity red wines, like Merlot, don't have much tannin. Have you noticed a difference between different types of red wine?

I have, since you ask. Is there more tanin in red wine than in tea?

No.

Then why do I suffer to after affects from drinking tea?

Because tea is the Cure For All Ills.

Yes indeed it is - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eELH0ivexKA

t.

It could be the sulphides or a reaction to whatever agent was used to clarify the wine. The most common agents are gelatine, egg albumen, milk casein and isinglass, although most bottles only have trace amounts due to the agent settling to the bottom of the barrel during the clearing process.

I have to be very choosy with my wine and try to get vegetarian wine whenever I can as I have an egg/sulphide intolerance - I also have moral issues with using animal ingredients as clarity agents