Why Does Wine Cause Headaches?

The Science Behind Sulfites, Quercetin, and Wine Styles

If you’ve ever said, “I love wine, but it gives me a headache,” you’re not alone.

For years, the common belief has been that sulfites cause wine headaches. And honestly, I believed that too.

During my enology studies, we explored how compounds in wine interact with the body.. particularly how alcohol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, and how the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) helps break it down.

The theory at the time suggested that certain compounds, including sulfites, might interfere with this process.

That belief directly influenced how I began making wine

What Causes Wine Headaches? Understanding Red Wine Sensitivity.

Wine headaches can be linked to compounds like tannins, histamines, sulfites, and quercetin; Not just alcohol.

Why I Started Making Rosé Without Sulfites

Early on, I set out to create wines that people could enjoy without the unwanted side effects many associate with wine, especially headaches.

That led me to explore crafting rosé wines with little to no added sulfites.

But my decision wasn’t only about headaches.

From a technical winemaking perspective, sulfites can also:

• Bind with anthocyanins, impacting color stability

• Mute aromatic expression, especially delicate esters

• Alter flavor perception, particularly in lighter-style wines

In rosé and sparkling wines (where precision, brightness, and aromatics matter) excessive sulfur can diminish the purity of the wine.

Sure, it costs more and requires more precision to work this way but it’s the right thing to do in my case.

Wine Science Is Always Evolving

One of the most important things I’ve learned is this:

Wine science changes daily.

What we believed even a decade ago continues to evolve as new research emerges.

In a March 6, 2026 article, Deborah Parker Wong, MSc, DipWSET—global wine editor for The SOMM Journal and contributor to The Tasting Panel—brought attention to emerging research, including collaborative work with scientists at the University of California, Davis, that is beginning to shed new light on a potential contributor to red wine headaches:

QUERCETIN.

A New Perspective: Quercetin and Red Wine

Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found in grape skins. It increases with sun exposure and is extracted during fermentation.

Because red wines ferment with extended skin contact, they contain significantly higher levels of quercetin compared to:

• rosé wines

• white wines

• sparkling wines

Emerging research suggests quercetin may interfere with alcohol metabolism, potentially slowing the breakdown of acetaldehyde.

This could help explain why:

Red wines are more commonly associated with headaches than other wine styles.

What Causes Wine Headaches? Alcohol, Tannins, Histamines, Sulfites and Quercetin Explained: A visual breakdown of the most commonly studied contributors to wine headaches: from alcohol metabolism and acetaldehyde to tannins, histamines, sulfites, and emerging research on quercetin in red wines.

The Wine Headache Suspect Lineup

There isn’t just one cause — there are several potential contributors:

• Alcohol – a vasodilator that can trigger headaches

• Acetaldehyde – a byproduct of alcohol metabolism

• Quercetin – found in grape skins, especially in red wines

• Biogenic Amines - naturally occurring compounds formed during fermentation, including histamines, which may contribute to headaches in sensitive individuals

• Tannins – extracted from skins, seeds, and stems

• Sulfites – often blamed, but likely not the primary cause

Wine is a complex matrix of naturally occurring compounds, and individual sensitivity varies — which is why no single explanation applies to everyone.

And yes, there’s one more worth mentioning.

What About Sugar?

This comes up often.

While sugar isn’t typically cited as a primary cause of wine headaches, it can contribute indirectly.

Higher sugar wines can:

• impact blood sugar levels

• contribute to dehydration

• intensify hangover symptoms

According to the Cleveland Clinic, alcohol combined with sugar can worsen dehydration and increase the likelihood of headaches and hangover symptoms.

So while sugar may not be the root cause, it can absolutely play a supporting role.

A Discovery I Didn’t Plan

What’s fascinating is that I didn’t set out to avoid red wine.

I simply set out to create wines that felt:

• balanced

• vibrant

• clean

• and enjoyable to drink

That naturally led me toward:

• rosé wines

• traditional method sparkling wines

• lower alcohol fermentations around 11–12% ABV

These wines involve minimal skin contact, which means fewer extracted compounds like tannins and quercetin.

And the feedback has been consistent:

People don’t just enjoy these wines; they often say they feel better drinking them.

Will I Ever Make Red Wine?

Absolutely.

I love red wine.

But like many people, I enjoy it sparingly because I, too, have experienced the headaches and heavier after-effects that can come with it.

This isn’t about eliminating red wine.

It’s about understanding it.

And making intentional choices around how wine is grown, crafted, and experienced.

A Better Way Forward

Wine should feel like:

• connection

• celebration

• joy

Not something you have to recover from.

At WOO GIRL! Cellars, every decision, from vineyard to bottle, is guided by that belief.

Because wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass.

It’s about how it makes you feel.

FAQ Section

Why does red wine give me headaches but WOO GIRL! rosé doesn’t?

Red wines contain higher levels of compounds extracted from grape skins, including tannins and quercetin, which may contribute to headaches in some individuals. Some rosé wine styles have minimal skin contact, resulting in lower levels of these compounds.

What is acetaldehyde in wine?

Acetaldehyde is a natural compound produced when the body metabolizes alcohol. When you drink wine, your body converts ethanol (alcohol) into acetaldehyde, which is then broken down by an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).

If acetaldehyde is not efficiently broken down, it can accumulate in the body and may contribute to symptoms such as headaches, flushing, and nausea in some individuals.

Acetaldehyde is also present in wine itself in small amounts, formed during fermentation and oxidation. In winemaking, it plays a role in aroma and structure, but excessive levels are generally avoided because they can negatively impact both flavor and stability.

Do sulfites cause wine headaches?

Sulfites are often blamed but the science is now saying it’s unlikely to be the primary cause. They occur naturally in many foods and beverages and are generally well tolerated by most people without an allergy to it..

What is quercetin in wine?

Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found in grape skins that increases with sun exposure while on the vine.. It is more concentrated in red wines due to extended skin contact during fermentation.