Why do I hear people talk about sulfites in wine?

Why do I hear people talk about sulfites in wine?

Sulfites are natural. They're in any dried fruit. Apricots have sulfites. Sulfites are out there. Sulfites are something to preserve wine. And sulfites also make sure that it doesn't brown, especially in white wine. Sulfites have chemically been used to keep things fresher, especially in America. In our culture we have learned this Listerine clear, we don't want to see anything. We think purity means that it be totally transparent and that it be gem-like bright. But it strips it of everything. So sulfites are added to preserve and make things brighter. There are people that are allergic to sulfites. There is no wine that is made, there is no fruit that is out there, that naturally does not have sulfites. Is one aspirin good for you? In Hollywood we say, "if one's good for you, give them six." So that is the problem that has happened, is sulfites naturally occuring, I doubt that there would be any threshold that anyone would detect, but because sulfites have become popular, allergies and such, and the fact that they have been overloaded to the effect -- with inexpensive wines, yes, it could be a problem. But when you are talking about a quality product that has a real cork, rather than a collapsible bag, or something that you screw off, there is a concern for sulfites.