Red wine and tyramine

[LauraO]

I (and thousands of other people) have been placed on a moderately tyramine-restricted diet due to a new (Feb. 06) medication called Emsam. Can you tell me if there are any red wines low in tyramine?

[Thomas]

Since most reds go through malolactic fermentation, the answer to your question is: not many.

Likely the fresh, young reds such as Beaujolais Nouveau, but you really have to do the research to be sure.

[LauraO]

The problem is, I don't know how to research a wine's ingredients. Obviously, its not on the labels, and with so many brands and types on the market, how could I possibly check out the tyramine level in any one of them?

[Thomas]

Laura,

You can't research the ingredients, but you can research whether or not the wine has been put through primary and malolactic fermentation, each of which produce tyramines but I think the higher levels come from the secondary fermentation. I could be wrong, which is why you need to do some research.

In a decade or so, I expect these matters will be showing up on labels, as governments are beginning to show concern over potential allergens in fermented products.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 08-19-2006).]