"Tom" > wrote in message
...
> Maybe a silly question
>
> OK, I understand that sulfites have been used throughout history in wine
> making but I have been curious as to how they did it. We have access to
> purified refined versions of sulfites that are ancestors did not. Now
> sulfur wicks and candles in barrels I can understand but meta bisulfites?
> How would great great great grandpa Joe do it it the old country? Or go
> back further how about the greeks?
>
> Who's the resident chemical /historian?

Here's a starting point (perhaps):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur_dioxide I suspect that the Sulfates may
have been added as SO2, which can be readily produced from Sulfur. Which was
a very handy compound being used to treat wounds and make gunpowder It
would be interesting to know how the other compounds came into usage.

Steve