What the hell was in that?

[baavgai]

I often tell people I don't drink. This in itself is code, implying the imbibing of alcohol. Unfortunately, this seems to carry the assumption of complete abstinence, which is not the case. I'm willing to drink alcohol, I just generally don't. I will with friends.

I always think the term "social drinker" sounds horrid, like someone is stalking the drinking of others, looking for a hit. I suppose I drink like I eat those little puff pastry encased sausages you find on at socials. I don't go looking for them, I don't buy them, I may not even eat them if I see them, but sometimes I will. My dad, with his glass of vino every night, never really understood this; neither did our host last night.

First, my NaNoWriMo is a wash. No even close, very sad, try again. However, we've met with the local writing group a few times and they're a great bunch of folks. When the Barnes and Noble kicked us out last night, we followed one of the others home to try his home made wine. Since I have a much higher capacity, and much less interest in drinking; I was the designated driver. Thank god.

First, his stuff was amazingly good. Not the swill one has cause to fear. He opened something he took great pride in to share and I had half a glass. It was wonderful, his pride well deserved. We left well after one, I was good to drive.

I don't get big hangovers and if it's strictly alcohol poisoning causing symptoms my tolerance is quite high. In my youth I could safely share a bottle or two of scotch with a friend and walk away unscathed, making sure my comrade had enough water and wasn't going to vomit in their sleep. Sulfites, however, are another matter.

Holy brimstone, batman! That guy's wine ain't ever going to ferment in the bottle. Hell, keep it away from the source dough and most other living things. Warning, may cause blinding headaches and loss of will to live. I need an MSDS or something. Three hours of chugging water and it still hurts.

I thought it might just be me, getting old and all that. However, if loosecanon's reaction is any indication, I am not alone.

Comments

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

I drink in about the same amount -- rarely, under special friendly circumstances.

About the wine: too many sulfites, -ides, or whatever? You should probably ask him about it, and warn him of the effects in others. He'll probably be grateful and mortified at the same time.

[baavgai.livejournal.com]

Sulfite reaction is like MSG reaction; you have them or you don't. It's a sensitivity. Curiously, his wife suffers from a huge range of other food sensitivities. She can't drink the wine.

Using sulfites in wine is standard and not considered harmful. Interesting, no wine is entirely sulfite free by nature: http://www.ecowine.com/sulfites.htm

I did find a real interesting article about, I'm not kidding, "a syndrome known as Red Wine Headache, or RWH." (http://www.beekmanwine.com/prevtopbd.htm) They don't blame sulfites for the problem. They could be right. I'm happy enough just not to drink, I think.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Wonder if he added sulfites, in addition to what occurs naturally, like a lot of wineries do? It stabilizes the product, I believe, or... no wait.. I think it's supposed to age it faster? Sorry, not an expert, just know that most pros add dome in.

Sorry you and loosecanon are suffering -- hope you recover by end of day!