The Unique Effects of White Wine: My Personal Experience and Insights
I can drink red wine with relative ease, but a few glasses of white wine and I develop a foreign language, experiencing an interesting stagger, often coupled with a sensation like my stomach is doing somersaults. This has sparked curiosity among my friends, who are more dedicated to red wine. However, unless I’m selecting a wine to accompany red meat or game, my preference is usually white wine or bubbly.
Why I Prefer White Wine
White wine always seems lighter and more refreshing to me, making it a go-to choice. Sparkling wine, such as Champagne and its cousins, is a fantastic digestive aid, closely resembling stomach acid. However, if your family has a history of heart problems, it might be better to opt for red wine, which offers specific health benefits for heart health.
Recommended White Wines for Specific Tastes
For those who enjoy seafood, I recommend trying Albari?o. If you’re looking for a clean, crisp white wine, you might appreciate a Viognier, which is lesser-known than Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Both are excellent options. A Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio would probably please most people, while Malvasia Bianca offers a touch of sweetness.
Alcohol and Its Effects on the Body
I've gathered some facts and myths about alcohol through years of experimentation and experience, not all of them pleasant. Let's dive into why you might feel different when drinking white wine.
The Dry Martini: A High Alcohol Content Drink
The Dry Martini, the American version, which is a mixture of gin or vodka, has an alcohol concentration of around 40%. This means that four glasses could easily get you 'well and truly smashed.' In wine terms, this is about three to four times more alcohol than a standard wine, equivalent to drinking around 12 glasses of wine in a short period.
Scattered Absorption: A Key Difference
The stomach has difficulty absorbing alcohol when its concentration in the stomach is over 15%. A Dry Martini sits in the stomach, slowly leaking into the lower gut and being absorbed over a long period. This is why some people can down six Dry Martinis and still sit down for a meal without being carried out later. But avoid drinking water straight after martinis; it can dilute the alcohol, giving you a massive alcohol hit and leading to an emergency room visit.
How White Wine Affects Us
White wine, with alcohol concentrations between 9% and 13%, hits the stomach and gets absorbed quickly, making you feel euphoric. This is similar to injecting alcohol into a blood vessel, causing a sudden and intense effect. In contrast, beer, with the lowest alcohol concentration at around 5%, takes longer to have an effect, requiring more intake.
Carbonation’s Role: A Faster Hit
Carbonation also speeds up the absorption process. If you want a faster wine hit, opt for Champagne. In Poland, where vast alcohol consumption is common, my friends achieve different results with alcohol, even when using the same type. My friend, for example, can drink vodka like water, while I must limit myself to four shots due to genetic predisposition.
Real-World Anecdote
Once, the world record for driving under the influence was set by a Polish man in Warsaw, with a blood alcohol concentration double the lethal limit (thought to be 450mg) at 8:00 am. He claimed he had stopped drinking at 2:00 am but was still severely intoxicated. This highlights the unique effects of alcohol on individuals.
Conclusion
My experience with alcohol has taught me much about how our bodies react differently to various types. If you're curious about the effects of white wine, you might find a personal difference in how it affects you. It's always best to consume responsibly and mindfully.