AbstractEleven volunteers received 300 ml white wine, an ethanol solution and tap water to compare the effects of these beverages on lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and gastro‐oesophageal reflux. A continuous measurement of sphincter pressure and oesophageal pH was performed one hour before and after ingestion. A significant increase in fraction of time pH<4 (P<0.01 vs ethanol, P<0.001 vs water) coincident with a significant decrease in sphincter pressure (P<0.01) was observed after the intake of wine, The duration of transient sphincter relaxations (P<0.05) as well as the duration of reflux episodes (P<0.001) were significantly prolonged, its frequencies were not significantly enhanced. Reflux occurred almost exclusively during complete sphincter relaxations after the intake of ethanol and water, whereas an increase in ‘stress reflux’ and the occurrence of ‘free reflux’ was observed after ingestion of wine (P<0.001). It is concluded that this change in reflux pattern is related to the depressive effect of wine on lower oesophageal sphincter pressure. Pure ethanol is not responsible for the effect