Had a bottle of Argentinian Malbec yesterday. Not my usual tipple but a friend recommended it. Last glass of it was full of long crystals, and quite a lot still in the bottle. Not a good sign. :-? - What are they?
There was one cheap bottle of white wine from Lidl that almost put my OH in hospital, with myself being a close second. No reaction to wines usually, but she went bright red with a quickly spreading rash and me likewise but not as bad after only a glass each. It had a ship on the bottle so now I don't drink white wine anymore.
Trying to avoid gout if possible and I like the idea of 2 dry days where I drink more water instead on those days - for medicinal purposes only you understand :grin:
With regard to the crystals here is the answer:
http://www.wineofthemonthclub.com/category/sediment-and-tartrate-crystals
With regard to the sudden reaction to a drink, it could be that both you and your OH are allergic (or have developed and allergy) to sulphites.
That people can develop an allergy to sulphites is the reason why almost every bottle of cheap (and not so cheap) wine has the warning "Contains sulphites." on it.
In home wine making people often introduce Campden Tablets (potassium or sodium metabisulfite) at the end of fermentation to prevent the wine from spoiling; although it isn't strictly necessary as perfect sanitation will accomplish the same result.
Hope this helps. :thumb: