A fining agent is a substance mixed into wine or beer
during production, then removed by filtration or sedimentation. Three
potentially allergenic fining agents are egg whites, casein, a common allergen
found in milk products, sets off headaches, runny nose and gastric distress. Isinglass is derived from swim bladders of sturgeon
fish Plant-Derived Allergens
The causes of these reactions range from sulfites to sturgeon swim bladders. A single bottle of beer, for example, can contain more than ten allergens, including preservatives, histamines, animal products, pesticides, wheat, yeast and corn.
Some of the major culprits are:
Histamine
This is present in many alcoholic drinks particularly red wines and can cause headache, flushing, nasal symptoms, gut symptoms or asthma. Some people are particularly intolerant of histamine because of a deficiency in the breakdown and elimination of histamine from the body.
Yeasts
Yeast, a fungus, ferments the sugars in beer and wine, turning them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. There's no such thing as yeast-free beer or wine.
Sulphites/Sulphur Dioxide
Sulphur dioxide is particularly common in home brewed-beers and wines as sodium metabisulphite. This is used in the cleansing of equipment and remains in very high levels and resulting brew. Around 1 in 10 asthmatics are sensitive to sulphites and may have a wheezy reaction to alcoholic drinks.
Additives
Additives e.g. tartrazine, sodium benzoate - can trigger urticaria and asthma.
Ethanol itself can be an allergen to some people or
make people more sensitive to other allergens. BHA, a preservative added to
conventional beers, has been shown to trigger hives.
Pesticides in conventional grapes are also an issue. Winemakers generally don't
wash grapes before pulping them, so any of the 13 different kinds of pesticides
found on the average grape might end up inside your wine glass.
