Wine for a fairly knowledgeable connoisseur ?

[Tovi]

Innkeeper & Foodie -

Thanks for your replies! I will give Roberto a call.

No, I am not allergic to grapes or any other fruit, yeasts (at least not to breads, etc), but did have an allergic reaction to Strawberry Daiquiris - again, I am not allergic to strawberries, so decided it would be safer not to consume any kind of alcohol at all [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/frown.gif[/img] I have had allergic reactions to vinegar (in salad dressings, etc, but seem okay with mayo and ketchup)- apple cider also causes reactions. Someone suggested that I must be allergic to something in the fermentation process, since vinegar and apple cider are also fermented. There have been a few times that I have just been near really strongly bouqueted wines (cheep red/burgundy wines at convention types of functions) and started tongue and throat swelling without even a sip! I have even had the reaction to meats marinated in wine, so cooking out the wine doesn't even cut it.

I've never had to use an Epi-Pen or anything, so I've been lucky! The effects vary from a shooting pain in my jaw (which someone suggested must be in glands located in the jaw area) with vinegar, to the tongue and throat swelling with wines. The effects last about 1/2 an hour - maybe a little longer and then completely disappear. It all started with immediate numbing of lips with one sip initially and progressed over a 3 year period to the tongue and throat thing.

It would seem this sort of reaction is pretty rare - I've never heard of anyone else with the same types of reactions. I spoke to an allergist about 10 years ago when this started, who said there are too many elements in wine to be tested for the cause. If anyone knows if it is actually the fermentation process and if so what about it causes this, I'd love to hear what it might be.

Thanks again for your help! I'm already recommending your site to others!