I have discovered after several ordeals, that I have a bad reaction to Chardonnay wine. My symptoms are more intense intoxication even after only consuming a small amount, and like having the world's worst hangover for several days afterwards, often going to the emergency room. My head would be spinning so badly that I would have to remian completely still, and even moving my eyes around would make me nausious and throw up. This would last for 3 or 4 days, slowly fading away.

Chardonnay, generic white wine blends and champagne are the only things that have ever made me feel this way(someone explained to me that Chardonnay is often used in the process of making these). I get a little stuffed up after some other kinds of wine and alcohol, and have a sinus allergy to dust, but nothing so extreme as the Chardonnay.

I had to undergo several tests and a catscan before my doctor felt secure that I didn't have a brain tumour. The reaction is so severe & often disturbs my vision so that I have clicking images as I move my eyes & it makes me really off balance so that I can hardly walk.

I have been extremely careful for years not to consume any white wine that may have Chardonnay in it (no champagnes, no generic white wines), and have never had a repeat of theese symptoms.

What could be in this type of wine that makes me have such a dramatic reaction?

I have had similar reactions to Chardonnay and Champagne as well. I don't get as sick as what was described by others but a couple of glasses will leave me with a nasty hangover and a very sickish feeling the next day. Other wines do not have the same effect even though I know that I have an allergy to yeast. One of my Aunts gets very sick from certain wines. She was told by a friend of hers who was very into wine that different wines have different molds in them (depending on the grapes) and it was the mold that was making her sick. I have been trying to get information about his but have not had much luck. I understand that European Chardonnay and "New World" Chardonnay don't use the same grapes. My wine understanding is poor though so I may be incorrect. I have known mold allergies and a very tough time during moldy seasons so I suspect that the mold theory may be correct - at least for me.

For the past 8 months or so, if I drink wine that's come from a screw top bottle, I get very ill. I do try to avoid but forget to ask... Symptoms are mostly gastric, waking at 2am feeling sick with very painful, intense, stomach cramps. This passes in about 8hrs, but leaves me feeling very weak and headachy. It only takes 1 or 2 glasses... anyone else noticed anything like this? Thanks!