The Natural Cure For All Sulphur Related Wine Headaches

First off I will start by saying I have a Bachelor of Applied Science in Winemaking (CSU) and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Chemistry (Double Major, QUT). Credentials sorted, now...

What is Sulphur in Wine?
Please bear with me while I go into some of the techno jargon of Sulphur, it is important for understanding my "Natural Cure".  When the word Sulphur is used in winemaking it is used to describe a group of compounds called Sulphur Dioxide (SO2).

SO2

It is a legal additive to wine and is used to prevent spoilage by yeasts and bacteria, as well as protect the wine from oxidation.  It can be added up to a level of 200 ppm, which no winemaker would ever need to use (unless it is dodgy wine/grapes).  In wine SO2 exists in 2 forms, free and bound.  Free SO2 is the bit that does the actual working, the protection of the wine.  Bound SO2 is where the molecule has temporarily joined to another molecule, like tannin in red wine, and this makes it "inert".  Now these 2 forms exist in an equilibrium, remove free SO2 and some of the bound will be released.  Total SO2 is the measure of free SO2 PLUS bound SO2.

At high concentrations, you can smell free SO2, but not bound SO2.

SO2 can be added either directly as gas or by adding Potassium Metabisulphite, which in an acidified solution (wine) forms SO2.  On the back label, "this wine contains preservative 220" means it has SO2, either SO2 gas or SO2 from Potassium Metabisulphite, and "this wine contains preservative 224" means it has SO2 from Potassium Metabisulphite.  Identical modes of action tho.

The Problem
The problem that I hear is that a lot of people are getting a reaction to the SO2 in wine.  This usually appears the next day in the form of a headache.

The Natural Cure For All Sulphur Related Headaches
Now I have done some extensive research into solving this malaise that is affecting our population.  And it is free.  And the solution is, water.

"For every glass of wine, drink a glass of water in equal proportions"

The water NEUTRALISES the effects of the SO2.  By alternating wine and water you will feel that there will be no undue effects the next day.  It is so simple but remember to drink a glass of wine then a glass of water, never save the water for the end of the night, it won't work.

I ask all who read this, try it.  Tell me if I am right or wrong.  Let us rid the world of Sulphur Related Headaches forever.