Dear Red Wine

I have loved you for as long as I can remember.

Actually, this is not strictly true. My first memory is of my sister being born when I was 2½ years old and orange squash was the only juice in my cup. However, had I experienced such a traumatic event 20-years later, I am sure you would have provided invaluable support.

As an adult – following a brief fling with vodka, lime & soda and a few awkward experiences with white wine – it is you I have turned to at celebrations, commiserations and Saturday nights in front of the telly with a curry on my lap.

I have taken you to dinner parties, asked for you in pubs and restaurants, and showed extreme bias towards you in supermarket wine aisles.

I have also enjoyed getting to know all the variations of you. From fruity Merlots and robust Cab Savs to lighter-bodied Pinot Noirs and Beaujolais, but it was Rioja that finally stole my heart.

We did not have to see each other very often, but when we did it was like no time had passed between us at all and we had some very happy times together, toasted many birthdays and danced on many chairs.

We have also been through some incredibly tough times, losing loved ones, jobs and pregnancies.

I know I have neglected you of late. My love of you has not waned, but my desire for a good night’s sleep and a clear head has been more prevalent.

You see, recently we have not been having as much fun as we used to. You keep me awake at night with your nagging thoughts and dry throat. You torment me with pounding headaches and a queasy tummy while my face flushes the colour of you.

Some days, it seems you do not even like me at all.

Even just one small glass can bring on nausea, anxiety, sleeplessness and tired eyes and I admit, I have been avoiding you completely of late.

But it is not you, it is me. I am growing intolerant of you and I have enjoyed having more energy, brighter skin and deeper sleep.

I suspected it would happen eventually as many people with Hashimoto’s can be quite sensitive to you. It is something to do with your tannins, or histamine, or sulfites, or something. I will look into this in more depth soon, but meanwhile, should there be cause to raise a glass to someone or something, you will find me on the other side of the room flirting with your lighter, bubblier friend, Prosecco.

Thanks for the good times.

Me
xx