It's not very common for a person to be allergic to sulfites. If diagnosed
by a doctor, I would agree. Typically, the reactions are due to tannins (or
some other things that people more knowledgeable here will tell you about)
and mistakenly pin in on sulfites. It seems almost an urban legend that
people pass on to each other. I digress...

You cannot avoid sulfites in wines; they are a byproduct of fermentation.
The concentration is VERY small when present from only fermentation, though.
I don't add much sulfite and imagine if I were a little "cleaner" and always
had my carboys filled to the necks, I could eliminate it altogether. The
wines wouldn't age as nicely in the bottle, though.

I don't know of an additive to replace sulfites. In your vinting, you could
top the carboy off with an inert gas and that would help.

--
Patrick McDonald
Athens, GA USA


"Julie" > wrote in message
om...
> Hey all.
>
> Family member is allergic to sulphites. what can I use instead of
> Campden tabs and metabisulphite?