If your family is like mine, the holidays are the busiest time of the year. The pace is crazy, and oh so fun. Just last week, after a packed day at work, I hurried home to meet my husband and head out to a holiday party. When we arrived at my friend’s home, I could not wait to get my hands on a glass of wine – my favorite indulgence and one that I very much deserve!

Thirty minutes, a glass of Cab and a plate of finger food later, my voice was raspy and my head was pounding. Ick. How totally unattractive and uncomfortable! What could it be? Possibilities swirled in my mind – colder weather, special occasion foods or a hectic schedule? As it turns out, the culprit was in my cherished glass of wine.

I did some digging and here is what I found!

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany wanted to find out if wine allergies are a real thing. Of the 950 people who completed their questionnaire, 225 drinkers (25 percent of the group) reported signs of wine intolerance. Other reputable studies have shown that as many as 75% of wine drinkers experience allergic reactions to wine and may not even know it. Well, I’m glad I’m not alone.

The most common symptoms people reported include flushed or itchy skin, runny nose, congestion, headaches and a rapid heartbeat. So, what’s causing these pesky wine allergies? According to this study, Sulfite preservatives and histamines are the likely culprit.

But let’s face it; I am never giving up my wine. Thankfully, I now have a solution. The Wand™ by PureWine absorbs the histamines and sulfite preservatives from my glass of wine just before I drink it. This helps alleviate my unfavorable reactions. The filtration also enhances the taste of my wine through rapid aeration.

The Wand uses technology that combines nano-pore beads in a BPA-free plastic pouch and handle. These materials work together to quickly reduce the amount of histamines and sulfite preservatives in wine. Get some Wands and put them in your purse or jacket They come in handy.

A respected physician in Dallas recently said, “After using The Wand wine filters last night with my red wine, I felt great this morning when usually a couple of sips would trigger a migraine. I treat headaches every day in my practice and would like to offer The Wand to my patients.”

– Mary Louise Caire, MD // Caire Institute

And if you still have some shopping to do (don’t we all?), The Wand makes a thoughtful gift or stocking stuffer.

Happy holidays, friends!

Savor every sip! To learn more about wine allergies and potential solutions, like us on Facebook or visit us at DrinkPureWine.com.