Elsie
member
Reged: 05/01/2008
Posts: 2062
Loc: Scotland
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Have been getting an annoying cough when drinking white wine, and decided to google sulphites, seeing as there's always warnings on the bottles about it.
Well, turns out I've textbook symptoms of being allergic to sulphites, and they're contained in a lot of stuff, specially lime cordial (always got wheezey drinking Roses lime cordial as a child!), apricots and other dried fruits. Can be especially dangerous for asthmatics.
Apparently, sulphite levels vary between brands and even between years, white is worse than red, oak-aged contain more, and sparkling wine is the worst. Cider and beer also contain them, but German ones, like Becks are okay. Champagne contains low levels.
Better stick to the Bolly!
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3011
Loc: Surrey
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Never heard of this Elsie but I know someone who has asthma who may just be interested. x
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shadesoflilac
member
Reged: 01/09/2008
Posts: 36
Loc: Canterbury
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Hi elsie,
This is interesting. Sulphites in wine (and other foods) are classic triggers for migraine as I have learnt over the years! I suffer from migraine and have to watch certain foods. I cannot tolerate most white wines, however it seems that if I buy a quality wine (ie. expensive!)I will be ok. I stick to red wines now but again it seems the cheaper wines will have more sulphites - who knows why.
Lime cordial is interesting - that is something I only discovered this summer. I love lime cordial but this can trigger a migraine too so I steer clear...I understand that pickles and mustards and similar products can have the same results. 
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Lisafizzy
member
Reged: 11/02/2008
Posts: 2172
Loc: Surrey
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Hi Elsie, I have suffered from what you are describing for years. I am asthmatic but only became so in my twenties. It was around that time that I noticed that when I drank certain wines I would suddenly become really wheezy and sometimes have an asthma attack. My OH knew about Sulphites, and worked out that certain wines were worse than others. He's made it his mission over the years to try and find nice wine that doesn't set me off! We've worked out that French wines are the worst so we never buy those anymore, and Italian wine is the best. You are right about oaked wines, I cannot drink Chardonnay and other heavilly oaked wines.
Only the other night I had a couple of glasses of Gavi, which I'm normally OK with, but I had a really bad attack. I think you are right about wines varying by there vintage. I am usually OK with Pinot Grigio or red, but I prefer white. Champagne is fine, but sadly I can't afford to drink that all the time! Sparkling wines like Prosecco and Asti Spumante tend to set me off.
Do you know I thought it was only me, so it's reassuring that someone else has the same problem! I can't tell you how many nights out have been spoilt when I've had to nip to the loo and frantically puff on my inhaler to ease the wheezing. My advice would be become a "Champage Charley" or if that's not an option, stick to Light fresh fruity Italians! (The wine not the men!!!) Lisa. x
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I see the Angel inside the stone, and chip away to release her." Michelangelo.
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Elsie
member
Reged: 05/01/2008
Posts: 2062
Loc: Scotland
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Must say, it was quite an eye-opener reading about those pesky sulphites. Even frozen oven chips are covered in the stuff. Saved me a trip to the docs too!
Just back from a lovely weekend break in Prague and am pleased to say Czech wine caused no wheezing, no matter how much I drank!
What's most upsetting of all is that my fave wine (Oyster Bay) is definitely making me wheezey these days - what am I going to do with the 4 bottles of the stuff in my wine rack?!
Glad to know I'm not the only one who suffers!
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