Sulphur Dioxide can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, irritation to mucus membranes in the nose and lungs and affect breathing. Sulphur Dioxide is usually what is found in the top of a wine bottle, not air! Sodium metabisulphite is commonly used to not only preserve the wine but also the grapes before they are pressed. Under these circumstances it is not listed as an ingredient in the wine.

These sulphites are known to trigger asthma in some people. Unfortunately sulphites are used as preservatives in many foods and appear as the following E numbers -

E220 - Sulphur Dioxide
E221 - Sodium Sulphite
E222 - Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite
E223 - Sodium Metabisulphite
E224 - Potassium Metabisulphite
E225 - Potassium Sulphite
E226 - Calcium Sulphite
E227 - Calcium Hydrogen Sulphite
E228 - Potassium Hydrogen Sulphite

Now, back to wine :D Ozone can be used to treat grapes and could be used to produce a hypoallergenic wine in the future - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070211200637.htm

For now though it is a matter of looking for low sulphite or sulphite free wines. These are not totally sulphite free but contain very low levels. The latest news is that Sainsburys will be selling a reasonably priced bottle as part of their So Organic range from mid March 2008. Full story can be read at http://www.decanter.com/news/182677.html