Paul E. Lehmann > wrote:

> I wish he or some other research person would
> perform tests on wines with heavy oak and those
> not so heavily oaked. I suspect but have not
> verified that perhaps the heavy oak is what gives
> some people headaches and such. I know some of
> my friends say they can not drink red wines but
> when they drink mine that have not seen any oak
> or very light oak or aging in oak spent barrels
> they seem to have no problems.

Hi Paul,

As far as I know the cause of headaches and, for some people, loss of
balance is hystamines. Hystamines are produced by the process of
malolactic fermentation.

I have been told, on this group, that many of the indigenous grape
varieties in North America are low in acid and filtration is done in
place of malolactic fermentation, because malolactic fermentation would
reduce the acid levels to the point that the wine would taste "flabby".

I suffer from Menieres syndrome (loss of balance) and the New World red
wines of Australia, Chile and South Africa are very high in hystamines.
I have twice suffered from a threat of loss of balance with such wines,
so I try to avoid them.

Most people who get headaches avoid red wines, but it is possible with
some light red wines to get away with it.

--
Thanks and regards, Shane.
"A closed mouth gathers no feet!"
Email: Beware the invalid word! shane at wonk dot demon dot co dot uk
Website: http://www.wonk.demon.co.uk/