On 7/30/04 12:54 PM, in article , "Tom"
> wrote:

> 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?
>
> Tom
>
>

It is in the burning of sulfur that you produce sulfur dioxide (SO2). That
is the preservative in wine. SO2 is in equilibrium with metabisulfites in
solution (in wine). Most home winemakers use readily available
metabisulfites in powdered form to add SO2 to wine as it isn't practical to
have SO2 gas tanks in your home. However, many wineries utilize the gas
itself. I guess the old timers used to achieve SO2/Sulfite solutions by
burning sulfur and passing the gas through the wine or other acid solution.
I'll see if I can did up more information.


--
Greg Cook
http://homepage.mac.com/gregcook/Wine
http://homepage.mac.com/gregcook/aws

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