That fiery feeling in the pit of your stomach, that uncomfortable tightness in your chest – it sounds like you are probably experiencing heartburn. If you’re all too familiar with this unpleasant sensation, you probably have a whole list of foods to avoid: spicy cuisine, acidic drinks like orange juice, and perhaps chocolate. You may even include wine on your list – but does wine truly cause heartburn? We’ve got the scoop here:

What Actually Causes Heartburn?

Also known as acid reflux, heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, leaving you with a burning sensation in your chest, throat, and mouth. While many things can cause heartburn, one of the main culprits is what you consume. Fatty or acidic food like citrus, onions, tomatoes, and even coffee can cause you gastrointestinal distress. Some people also point the finger at wine.

The Role of Acids in Wine

Dust off your chemistry book and you might recall the roles that acids, neutrals, and bases play in our everyday lives. On the pH scale, acids range from 0-6, neutral is 7, and basics range from 8-14. Your favorite wine sits at about 3.5 on the pH scale.

Acids are essential in wine and need to be balanced delicately and expertly in order to produce the right flavor profile. On the vine, grapes are often very acidic and will slowly “mellow” as they ripen. Winemakers will take steps to achieve a delicious balance as they ferment these grapes, working to balance sugars and the two predominant acids present in wine: tartaric acid and malic acid.

Does Wine Cause Heartburn? It Depends.

We’d love to give you a simple “yes” or “no” answer, but several studies have conflicting results. Findings in a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association pointed to alcohol as a cause of heartburn while another study in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggested that wine might not be a catalyst after all. Meanwhile, findings in Digestive Diseases and Sciences showed that white wine increased heartburn more than red wine.

When it comes down to it, it’s all about the unique makeup of your body, not the wine.

Handy Pro-Tips from Chaumette

So what’s a wine lover to do with all of these conflicting findings? We have a few pointers to help you enjoy your favorite glass of vino without experiencing the fiery consequences:

• Know your body. This is probably the most important tip. If you know that you get heartburn easily from consuming wine or other alcoholic beverages, then you’ll want to be aware of your own personal limits and refrain from overindulging.
• Keep a glass of water nearby when you’re tasting or drinking wine. Sipping on water will help neutralize stomach acid.
• Eat when drinking wine. The acids present in wine could aggravate an empty stomach, but pairing your favorite wine with delicious food will keep those acids busy and help prevent heartburn.
• Avoid drinking wine 2-3 hours before going to bed. Alcohol relaxes the muscles, including the lower part of the esophagus, and lying flat will make it easier for your stomach acid to creep up your esophagus.
• If you do wind up experiencing heartburn despite all your vigilance, taking an antacid can help!

If you’re looking to savor a decadent glass of wine, look no further than Chaumette Vineyard and Winery’s impressive portfolio of wine. You can order your favorite online or indulge your senses by pairing a glass with a homemade, farm-to-fork meal at The Grapevine Grill! Call us at (573) 747-1000 to make your reservations.