Too Much Yakima Red Wine Can -For A Few- Be A Bad Thing

Yakima Valley wine grape growers are watching with caution as the thermometer reaches into triple digits. Wine grapes aren't as susceptible to heat damage as cherries and we grows tons of both.

The Yakima Valley is home to the state's first official American Viticultural Area for wine grapes established some 38 years ago, which today holds more than 18,000 acres of vineyards.

For perspective - One acre of land holds between 726 and 1,300 vines with each producing between four and six bottles of wine. Each bottle of wine contains about 2.8 pounds of grapes meaning each 5‐ounce glass of wine contains a little over half a pound of grapes. Thousands and thousands of consumer have enjoyed the fruits of Washington's wine labor over the years but not everyone can handle a glass of red wine, regardless of where its produced.

If it's excessive consumption, your next red wine headache was potentially prevented nearly 3-thousand years ago. The advice given was presented by the Romans and the Greeks, "the Greek poet Hesiod (c.700 bc), ‘observe due measure; moderation is best in all things’, and of the Roman comic dramatist Plautus (c.250–184 bc), ‘moderation in all things is the best policy.’

Wait, that assumes the only way you get negative reactions is from over indulgence -which is easy to do since Yakima Valley Red Wine are medal winning wonderful to drink! The sad truth is that some people can actually feel sick after just one glass of red wine with symptoms ranging from an itchy rash to a wheezing cough to a crushing migraine headache. A recent article in Popular Science says red wine can cause problems for a few consumers in multiple ways,

Popular Science on line says " migraines after a glass of red wine are likely caused by congeners. These substances occur naturally in most types of alcoholic drinks and are chemical byproducts of fermentation. Certain types of these congeners, including those called tannins, can make people who are already susceptible to migraines more likely to get them."

What about us white wine drinkers. What about the Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Moscato, Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Gewürztraminer aficionados? No worries -white wine doesn't contain congeners.

But there's more.

Some of the symptoms suffered by red wine drinkers may be caused by sulfites, which winemakers sometimes add as a preservative.. Another potential problem maker is something called histamines —people with allergies to histamines may experience headaches too.

But wait, there's even more!

Popular Science reports, "There is a protein found in the skin of red wine grapes called LTP, which gives red wine its color, but can also trigger an allergic response in some people with symptoms of flushing and diarrhea."

Cheers?

Bottom line, Yakima grows some of the best grapes and make some of best wines in the world. The reds may not be right for everyone....which just leaves more for everyone else!

Categories: Ag News, Consumer Awareness, Northwest News, Science

Too Much of A Good Thing (Yakima Red Wines) Can -For A Few- Be A Bad Thing!