| Winemaking is a relatively long process that | | | | wine yeasts in the market. They are readily |
| incorporates grape pressing, crushing, | | | | available and sold in a granulated form. |
| fermentation, racking and ageing. It's from the | | | | With active dry yeasts, vintners recommend the |
| fermentation step onwards, however, that the | | | | use of a starting liquid to activate the yeast |
| grapes and their juices become a delicious wine. | | | | before adding it to the must. Parallel to bread |
| While fermentation used to occur naturally when | | | | making, a starting liquid is mixed by combining the |
| winemaking was first discovered, it is now | | | | yeast with lukewarm water and sugar. |
| carefully done and constantly monitored. | | | | Also, a nutrient can be added to feed the yeasts, |
| Winemakers have, since then, explored various | | | | which will strengthen and prolong the fermentation |
| wine-making yeasts - which today offers us a | | | | process. |
| gigantic variety to choose from. | | | | Liquid yeasts are another popular type of wine |
| In order to select a yeast that best suits your | | | | making yeasts. Like their name suggests, they |
| wine, you must familiarize yourself with | | | | come in a liquid state. These yeasts are generally |
| fermentation temperatures and times. These 2 | | | | sold by wholesale, which could be a big expense if |
| aspects, along with what wine style you wish to | | | | you're just looking to make a small batch of wine. |
| make, will all play a big role on what yeast variety | | | | The upside, however, is that these liquid yeasts |
| you choose from, and on how successful your | | | | readily mix into the must, and they have a much |
| fermentation will be. | | | | shorter activation time than their popular |
| Guidelines to Select the Right Wine Yeast | | | | competitors, the active dry yeasts. |
| When it comes to the making of red wines, | | | | The last type of yeast I'd like to mention are |
| yeasts must present 2 essential characteristics: | | | | Viekra Dry Yeasts. These feature the selected |
| (1) heat tolerance and (2) Sulphur dioxide | | | | yeast type, that is dried onto desiccated grape |
| tolerance. Since red wines are fermented at | | | | pulp, seeds and skins. Due to the dehydrated |
| higher temperatures than whites, yeasts that can | | | | elements that are incorporated into the yeast, |
| perform well at high temperatures are a must. | | | | Viekra Dry Yeasts tend to take a long activation |
| Also, the yeast must be tolerant to Sulphur | | | | time. Nevertheless, they are popular for |
| dioxide, which is a common ingredient in the | | | | fermenting wines that are smooth and nicely |
| making of red wines. | | | | bodied. If you're interested in trying out this |
| As far as white wines as concerned, you'll need: | | | | yeast, but you don't want to take 3-4 days to |
| (1) yeasts that have rapid activation, (2) yeasts | | | | activate it, try Viekra liquid yeasts. They will cut |
| that tolerate low temperatures, and (3) yeasts | | | | down activation time (and effort) in half. |
| that can subsist in medium-high alcoholic | | | | Yeast Storing Practices |
| concentrations. | | | | 1. Store your wine making yeasts in the fridge. If |
| Types of Wine Making Yeasts | | | | you're planning to store for over 2 months, use |
| There are endless varieties of wine making | | | | the freezer. |
| yeasts. Many are optimized for specific cultivars, | | | | 2. Allow yeasts to sit at room temperature for at |
| others designed to perform well for certain types | | | | least 1 hour before activating. |
| of wines. | | | | 3. Allow any starting liquid to activate for a |
| Active Dry Yeasts are one of the most used | | | | minimum of 24 hrs prior to must preparation. |