Ask any expert the best way to avoid an infamous wine headache and they’ll simply tell you to lay off the booze, but it turns out there could be a legitimate reason for your brain pain, aside from over doing it.

If that feeling when your head starts pounding and you’re desperate for a glass of water is all too familiar you might be falling victim to some of wine's major culprits.

Some believe that post-wine headaches are caused by sulphites but this myth has since been debunked by experts. Instead, we should be pointing the finger at tannins, histamines and sugar, according to Vinepair.

A bottle of wine a day is not bad for you and abstaining is worse than drinking, scientist claims

Tannins are antioxidants which naturally occur in grape skins, seeds and stems, and are the reason for that drying sensation in your mouth after a healthy swill of wine.

For the majority, tannins will have no effect but for some they could be the cause of a heavy head.

Another malefactor is sugar. When mixed with alcohol, the body requires a great deal of water to be able to process the combination of substances so if you’re not keeping hydrated, you’re likely to suffer from a nasty sting.

The third culprit is histamines; a chemical that’s released when you have an allergic reaction. According to Vinepair, studies have revealed that certain aged foods and drinks, such as ripened wines, can cause our bodies to release histamines and suffer from allergy-related symptoms like dry eyes and a thumping headache.

So, other than taking a complete sabbatical from booze, how can we avoid wine headaches?

The 12 wines of Christmas Show all 12 1 /12 The 12 wines of Christmas The 12 wines of Christmas A party prosecco Pignoletto Brut Taste the Difference



Technically vino spumante, but prosecco by any other name – and partygoers are hardly likely to quibble once they taste the delightfully fresh bubbles and vibrant apple and stone-fruit flavours. It also makes a great Bellini – just add peach juice. £9, Sainsbury's The 12 wines of Christmas An English sparkling Henners Brut 2010



This sparkler from East Sussex-based Henners is as light and ethereal as a spring day, with effervescent citrus flavours. Drink while opening presents on Christmas morning, with oysters or smoked salmon. £18 (normally £28), winetrust100.co.uk; £29.99, virgin wines.co.uk The 12 wines of Christmas A pink champagne Taittinger Prestige Rosé Brut NV



This classic pink is a wonderful aperitif at any time, but makes a special festive meal even more so with its uplifting strawberry and raspberry flavours, toasty overlay and tight, bright bubbles. Savour on its own or with canapés. £37.50, thechampagne company.com; £48.99, Waitrose The 12 wines of Christmas Typically tropical Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2014/15



Its crisp, palate-cleansing acidity makes New Zealand Sauv Blanc almost the perfect party or aperitif glass. This bottle from one of the best Kiwi producers is packed with grass and tropical-fruit flavours – great on its own, and very good with all shellfish. £8, Sainsbury's The 12 wines of Christmas Zippy and zesty Falanghina Beneventano IGT 2013



This Italian white from near Naples has all the easy drinking qualities needed for a versatile seasonal white. It's zippy and zesty for easy drinking, but some underlying vegetal, smoky notes make it a very good partner for canapés and seafood starters. £7, Marks & Spencer The 12 wines of Christmas Cherry red Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Franc 2014



Fresh and aromatic, this bottle delivers crunchy cherry-fruit flavours, with enough body to make it brilliant for party spreads and a fine accompaniment for those plates of turkey sandwiches. £5.99 (each, when bought as six bottles, normally £8.99), majestic.co.uk The 12 wines of Christmas For fish and white meats Château Ollieux Romanis, Corbières Cuvée Prestige 2014



A baked fish needs an equally meaty white. Here, hand-picked Roussanne and Marsanne grapes are aged in oak to give big, creamy, luscious flavours, with hints of tropical fruits, some spice and smoke. £14.50, thewine society.com The 12 wines of Christmas For turkey, poultry and lighter game Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011



Oak ageing gives a mellow complexity to this sumptuous Pinot, balancing the bright, lingering cherry and plum flavours. Underlying acidity will also counter the fatty richness of goose or duck. £17.95, slurp.co.uk; £18.40, tanners-wines.co.uk The 12 wines of Christmas For beef or venison Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf- du-Pape 2012



This southern Rhône red balances rich, dark-fruit flavours, laced with earthy black pepper, in a wine of finesse which retains a hint of freshness from the Grenache grapes. A gorgeous counterpoint to equally full-flavoured meats. £19.99, laithwaites.co.uk The 12 wines of Christmas A tawny port Taylor's 20 Year Old Tawny Port



The perfect partner to mince pies, hard and blue cheeses, preferably consumed post-prandial in front of an open fire. Intense but mellow, oaky flavours of nuts and figs with a satisfying and long aftertaste. £32.96 (£21 for 37.5cl), amazon. co.uk; £34, the winesociety.com The 12 wines of Christmas A sweet wine Noble Harvest Denbies



Although made from grapes infected with the "Noble Rot" Botrytis, this is not oversweet. A hint of citrus and a little tropical, underlying honeyed notes and some toasty, yeasty flavours make it just right for lighter desserts, fruit puddings and, say, an almond and apricot tart. £19.99, Waitrose The 12 wines of Christmas An aged sherry Matusalem 30 Year Old Sherry



A sweet Oloroso, aged in oak for 30 years. Unbelievably complex with layer upon layer of flavours of nuts, raisins, dates and other dried fruit. Chill just a little and savour with Blue Stilton and, of course, Christmas pudding and cake. £19, Waitrose, ocado.com; £20.81, thedrinkshop.com

One expert says that drinking two cups of strong coffee beforehand helps. Dr Seymour Diamond of the National Headache Foundation, told the Chicago Tribune that caffeine constricts blood vessels, in turn alleviating wine’s nasty effects.

Another also suggests taking an antihistamine prior to a heavy night out to thwart potential allergy-like effects.

The most obvious of course is to drink more slowly and to swig a glass of water for every glass of wine.