Wood on Wine

The morning after the New Year
© by Linwood Slayton
Many of us may have experienced a hangover as we entered 2001. Hangovers can be the result of over-indulging in alcohol and dehydration is a typical cause. Alcohol contains toxins which are removed from the body via the liver and kidneys - hence, the reason why we make so many trips to the bathroom when drinking. Dehydration is the result and causes the headaches and general feeling of malaise.

Certain alcoholic beverages tend to be more likely to cause a hangover. Congeners are toxins in alcohol that occur during fermentation and give flavor, smell and color to alcohol. Drinks that are brown (rum, cognac, brandy, bourbon, scotch) have more congeners and tend to produce more hangovers than vodka or gin. The same is true for red wine (more congeners) than white wine.

The best advice available is for you to drink water and then drink more water. You should have one glass of water per drink of alcohol. Another helpful remedy or "cure" is ginger which helps an upset stomach. Also, B-complex vitamins are good in aiding the alcohol detoxification process. Avoid carbonated drinks as they speed alcohol absorption.

In future issues I will feature one new wine per week and share my views on that wine with you. I ask that you, too, share your views on new bottles you have enjoyed and, in this manner, we can all broaden our wine horizons.

Jan 5, 2001