14 best yeast for wine
Yeast plays a crucial role in the process of making wine through fermentation.In the context of wine-making, there are two main types of yeast:
Wild Yeast: This is naturally occurring yeast that can be found on the skins of grapes, as well as in the environment of a winery or vineyard. Wild yeast can initiate the fermentation process without the need for added commercial yeast. However, using wild yeast can be unpredictable and may lead to inconsistent results.
Cultivated Yeast: This refers to specific strains of yeast that are selected and cultivated for use in winemaking. These strains are known for their reliability, consistency, and ability to produce desired flavor profiles. They are available in various forms, including dry and liquid.
In wine-making, yeast is responsible for converting the sugars present in grape juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process is known as fermentation. The type of yeast used can significantly influence the flavor, aroma, and overall characteristics of the resulting wine.
Home brewers and winemakers often use specific strains of cultivated yeast to have more control over the fermentation process and to achieve desired outcomes. These strains may be chosen based on factors like the type of grapes used, the desired flavor profile, and the winemaker's preferences.
Home brewing starter sets and kits for wine-making typically include yeast as one of the essential ingredients. These kits often come with detailed instructions on how to use the yeast, along with other necessary components like fermentation vessels, airlocks, and sanitizing agents.
It's worth noting that the selection of yeast and the fermentation process are key factors in determining the final taste and quality of the wine. As such, many winemakers take great care in choosing the right yeast for their specific wine-making goals.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best yeast for wine on the market
North Mountain Supply - RS-PC-12 Red Star Premier Classique Wine Yeast - Pack of 12 - Fresh Yeast
North Mountain Supply
Product description
Guarantees a quick start of the fermentation. Good alcohol resistance (till 15% vol.), large temperature range (15°C to 35°C, 59°F to 95°F). Ideal strain for big volumes of wine when looking for a secure fermentation. Sold by North Mountain Supply (Seller: Quality Quick Ship) We are an Authorized Red Star Distributor and offer the freshest yeast on the market! We will provide free replacements and troubleshooting if for any reason the yeast does not activate before the expiration date.
- Sold by North Mountain Supply
- We are an Authorized Red Star Distributor and offer the freshest yeast on the market!
- We will provide free replacements and troubleshooting if for any reason the yeast does not activate before the expiration date
- Guarantees a quick start of the fermentation. Good alcohol resistance (till 15% vol.), large temperature range (15°C to 35°C, 59°F to 95°F)
- Ideal strain for big volumes of wine when looking for a secure fermentation.
User questions & answers
| Question: | is it certified kosher for passover |
| Answer: | I don't know if it was blessed by a Rabbi or if yeast even have a religious affiliation. Apparently, wine must not have been in contact with any grains, bread and dough i.e. chametz during its production to be considered kosher. |
| Question: | how much do you use |
| Answer: | The packets state that an entire one can be used for up to 5 gallons of solution depending upon what you are making. There are 5 grams of yeast in each packet so if you are making only one gallon of wine you need one gram or 1/5 of the package. Be sure to follow the directions stated on the packet in terms of prepping the yeast as well as storage and use thereafter of remaining yeast in the packet. I have done so and things worked quite well. A small digital scale or mini spoons are useful for measuring. Approximately 1/4 tsp of yeast is more than adequate for a gallon of wine. Having enough sugar and other necessary components for wine will yield ABV between 10-15%. Keep that in mind if you plan to make beer which I haven't. |
| Question: | How long is the fermentation process |
| Answer: | That all depends on what you are fermenting! If you use a hydrometer along the process you can measure how much sugar has turned into alcohol, which in turn shows when the yeast has completed its job! |
North Mountain Supply - RS-PR-12 Red Star Premier Rouge Wine Yeast - Pack of 12 - Fresh Yeast
North Mountain Supply
Product description
Good alcohol resistance (till 15% vol.). Recommended for the vinifications of high quality red wines aged in oak barrels particularly Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz grape families and to all full bodied wines. Sold by North Mountain Supply (Seller: Quality Quick Ship) We are an Authorized Red Star Distributor and offer the freshest yeast on the market! We will provide free replacements and troubleshooting if for any reason the yeast does not activate before the expiration date.
- Sold by North Mountain Supply
- We are an Authorized Red Star Distributor and offer the freshest yeast on the market!
- We will provide free replacements and troubleshooting if for any reason the yeast does not activate before the expiration date
- Good alcohol resistance (till 15% vol.)
North Mountain Supply - RS-SP-5 Red Star Sampler Pack Wine Yeast - Pack of 5 - With Freshness Guarantee
North Mountain Supply
Product description
This assortment is great for experimenting with the different yeast strains. Includes 1 - Premier Blanc, 1 Premier Rouge, 1 Premier Classique, 1 Premier Cuvee, and 1 Cote des Blancs. Sold by North Mountain Supply (Seller: Quality Quick Ship) We are an Authorized Red Star Distributor and offer the freshest yeast on the market! We will provide free replacements and troubleshooting if for any reason the yeast does not activate before the expiration date.
- Sold by North Mountain Supply
- We are an Authorized Red Star Distributor and offer the freshest yeast on the market!
- We will provide free replacements and troubleshooting if for any reason the yeast does not activate before the expiration date
- This assortment is great for experimenting with the different yeast strains
- Includes 1 - Premier Blanc, 1 Premier Rouge, 1 Premier Classique, 1 Premier Cuvee, and 1 Cote des Blancs.
User questions & answers
| Question: | Does this yeast bloom like other yeast? After putting warm water in it never blooms. Tried 2 packs |
| Answer: | That's a great question. No, the yeast will not necessarily behave like that. It just needs to be re-hydrated and added to the wine. |
| Question: | So this may be the dumbest question ever, but can you use this yeast to make bread |
| Answer: | It's not a dumb question at all. For kicks, I made a loaf using the Premier Blanc a few months back just to see what would happen. I'm certainly not an expert baker, but I thought it was at least as good as the ones I have made using regular bread yeast. I've got extra packs, you've got me thinking maybe I'll try again to see if it's consistently good. |
| Question: | What abv will the yeasts get to |
| Answer: | That's a great question. The alcohol tolerance for these yeast range from 14% to 18%. |
Strange Brew My-WNCV-DYMZ 10 Packs of KIV-1116 Lalvin Yeast for Winemaking, Multi
Strange Brew
Product description
A vigorous and competitive fermenter that, because of its neutral effect on varietal character, is very well suited to fruit wines as well as wines to be made from grapes. Grapes and fresh fruit. 59-86° F (15-30° C).
- 10 packs of fresh yeast
- Make wine at home
- Great with fresh fruit and grapes
- Fresh yeast from Strange Brew Home-Brew
User questions & answers
| Question: | Is this yeast all natural or is there another ingredient besides yeast? Thanks |
| Answer: | There is an emulsifier to assist with re-hydration, but it is mostly wine yeast. |
| Question: | Which yeast do you recommend for making rice wine |
| Answer: | For rice wine a lot of people recommend either the Lalvin V1116 dry yeast or White Labs WLP099 liquid yeast. |
| Question: | which yeast do you recommend for active dry yeast to make dandelion wine |
| Answer: | EC-1118 or champagne yeast would work best. |
| Question: | What is the difference between this and champagne yeast |
| Answer: | Thanks for asking. Champagne yeast produces wines with a very smooth, clean, crisp flavor whereas the K1-V1116 yeast produces more fruity and floral wines. |
Lalvin Dried Wine Yeast EC #1118 (Pack of 10)
Strange Brew Beer and Winemaking
Product description
This product is Lalvin dried wine yeast EC 1118.
- Wine Yeast
- Dried Active Yeast
- Great for fermenting
User questions & answers
| Question: | what are the exact ingredients please |
| Answer: | here is a link to help you find the ingredientshttp://lmgtfy.com/?q=lalvin+yeast+ec-1118&l=1 |
| Question: | Lets say i add this to juice/sugar for hard cider. once fermented, i add potassium sorbate. is there anything else i'd need to do before drinking? ty |
| Answer: | I use it and a yeast nutrient, sugar and juice to make liquor. 160 proof liquor. Can't comment on potassium sorbate as I know nothing about it. Usually takes 7 days to ferment and another 12 hours to distill.........! |
| Question: | What yeast is best for both light and dark wines |
| Answer: | LALVIN EC-1118 (SACCHAROMYCES CAREVISIAE) (EX-BAYANUS) MAKES THE BEST LIGHT OR DARK WINES, with an alcohol content of 14-16% |
| Question: | Is this replication competent enough to keep a mead must running as long as it's regularly fed |
| Answer: | This yeast works with mead, have made mead with thisnyeast and many others. But Lavlin 71b-1122 seems to have been made for mead and some how my batches made with it get the best appraisals. if you decided to give 71b-1122 a try, make you mead as usual just add one cup (8oz) of pulpless orange juice to your mead. your mead wont pick up the oj taste (assuming a five gallon batch is being made) somehow something in the oj this makes lavling 71b-1122 happy. But ec-1118 works too |
Red Star Premier Classique Wine Yeast, 5g - 10-Pack
Red Star
Product description
Premier Classique formerly Montrachet. A strong fermenter with good alcohol tolerance that is useful in producing dry, full bodied red and white wines. Will leave a wine with intense color and excellent flavor complexity while preserving tannin content. This yeast will produce hydrogen sulfide gas in the presence of excess sulfur compounds and therefore should not be used to ferment grapes that contain residual sulfur dust. Temperature range: 59-86 F. Alcohol Tolerance: 13%.
- Premier Classique formerly Montrachet Red Star for Wine Making
- Includes 10 Packs of Yeast
- Useful in producing dry, full bodied red and white wines
User questions & answers
| Question: | Do you need a wine barrel for this, or can a substitution be used to ferment |
| Answer: | I don’t know. I always use dark colored glass jugs |
| Question: | I ordered and it says it shipped today but not expected to recieve until 23-25... Im in the next state over, why would it take so long |
| Answer: | Amazon has adjusted the January 2021 delivery times based on the poor performance of the three largest delivery services in December 2020. Hobby Homebrew ships all orders in 24 hours or less, so your order should arrive in 1-5 days depending on circumstances. |
Red Star Cote des Blancs Wine Yeast - Pack of 12 - North Mountain Supply Fresh Yeast
North Mountain Supply
Product description
Fast fermenting strain that ensures a regular fermentation even at low temperature (12°C to 14°C, 53°F to 57°F). Alcohol tolerance: >14% vol. Allows an optimum aromatic expression for the production of wines derived from neutral grape cultivars. Sold by North Mountain Supply (Seller: Quality Quick Ship) We are an Authorized Red Star Distributor and offer the freshest yeast on the market! We will provide free replacements and troubleshooting if for any reason the yeast does not activate before the expiration date.
- Sold by North Mountain Supply
- We are an Authorized Red Star Distributor and offer the freshest yeast on the market!
- We will provide free replacements and troubleshooting if for any reason the yeast does not activate before the expiration date
- Fast fermenting strain that ensures a regular fermentation even at low temperature (12°C to 14°C, 53°F to 57°F).
Lalvin ICV-D47 Wine Yeast, 5g - 10-Pack
Lalvin
Product description
The lalvin icv-d47 yeast strain is capable of producing complex wines with a strong fruity and floral character. This strain has been isolated from the côtes du Rhone region of France and is known for creating full-bodied chardonnay and other white varieties. This yeast can contribute additional complexity with extending aging on lees resulting in ripe, spicy aromas with Notes of Tropical and citrus fruits. The icv-d47 yeast ferments at a moderate pace and creates wines with a full mouth feel and silky texture.
- Produces complex wines with a strong, fruity and floral character
- Yeast strain isolated from France and known for creating full-bodied Chardonnay and other white wine varieties
- Can produce ripe, spicy aromas with notes of citrus and tropical fruit
- Creates a full mouthfeel and silky texture
- 10 Packs
User questions & answers
| Question: | The description say 10-pack but there is a 5-pack amazon 'sticker' over the picture. Is this 5 or 10 packs |
| Answer: | The listing is for 10 packs of yeast-Not sure why Amazon has a 5 pack sticker across the product. We will have them change the picture-but this listing is for 10 packs of yeast. |
| Question: | Does this have high alcohol tolerance |
| Answer: | Not as high as others, no. Lalvin has one called EC-1118 that has a higher tolerance than D-47. I prefer D-47 for mead as it's a good all around strain meaning that it turns out consistently good batches without having to constantly monitor it. I have been mead making for only two years and with everything, opinions vary. You can also check some of the home brewer forums. |
| Question: | how much do you use per gallon |
| Answer: | One whole packet is good for up to five gallons. About one teaspoon will be for one gallon. More won't hurt, it will just make it ferment faster. Personally I use 1/2 packet for anything under three gallons and a whole packet for anything over three gallons. Save the rest of the packet in the refrigerator. Happy Brewing! |
| Question: | Can I use this with red wine |
| Answer: | You could but D-47 is probably better with whites and blushes. Lalvin EC-1118 might be a better option for reds. I personally prefer mead to grape wine and use D-47 a lot with mead making and it turns out great. I have not had a bad batch and have done everything from a dry batch to sweet fruit flavored melomels like blueberry and raspberry. D-47 is a great all around choice for mead. |
Red Star Premier Blanc Wine Yeast, 5 g, (Pack of 11)
Red Star
Product description
11 packs Red Star Pasteur champagne yeast wine Cider making moonshine distilling. 11 packs Red Star premier blanc wine yeast 5 grams, country of origin - Belgium, manufacturer name - Red Star.
- 5 gram package
- Active dry wine yeast
- Recommended for cabernet, cider, dry whites, fruits, meads, port, and sodas
User questions & answers
| Question: | Can you use this yeast to make bread |
| Answer: | I accidentally purchased this, thinking it was yeast for bread. I just used it for cinnamon rolls and they turned out perfectly! The recipe called for 2.25 teaspoons of instant yeast, I let this sit in the warm milk at the temperature and time recommended on the pouch. Very happy with this, just ordered another set! |
| Question: | Will this work for strong ale |
| Answer: | That's a great question. If your ale is going to be in the typical alcohol range of strong ales (8-11%), then you should probably use one of the many ale yeasts that are suited for strong ales. If you are trying to achieve an alcohol content higher than that, then you could certainly use this champagne yeast for that purpose. If you exclusively used the Red Star yeast, it would be a remarkable different tasting beer. So you could ferment first with a strong ale yeast and then follow that with the wine yeast to preserve more 'ale' flavor. You could also experiment with fermenting with the 2 yeast simultaneously if they have a 'behave' well together. Thanks! |
| Question: | I usually use red star pasteur champagne yeast. is it still available |
| Answer: | That’s a very good question. The Red Star Pasteur Champagne yeast has been re-named to Red Star Premier Blanc. They are the same product. Thanks! |
| Question: | Do you need ID to have this shipped to you |
| Answer: | No, but your mom will catch you. |
Premier Rouge Dried Wine Yeast (Pack of 10)
Red Star
Product description
Red star has been derived from the collection of the institute Pasteur in Paris. it is a strong, even fermenter that produces full bodied reds. this yeast encourages the development of varietal fruit flavors, balanced by complex aromas, especially when using grapes of the cabernet family. it may be necessary to cool the fermenting must to prevent unwanted temperature increase. this yeast is reported to give character to less robust red grapes, or those picked before optimum development.
- Meant for red wines because it is tolerant to heat and sulfur dioxide
- Hardly ever causes stuck fermentation
- Used for cabernet sauvignon, merlot and zinfandel
- Temperature range is 64-86°, low flocculation, and alcohol is 16%
User questions & answers
| Question: | How good is this for making mead |
| Answer: | Have never made mead but it works great with fruit so I'm sure honey will be no different |
| Question: | Is this vegan |
| Answer: | This is deeply philosophical. Yeast is actually alive. If you are into jainism then you can't use it. Honestly I would say, no, it's not vegan because yeast is living. But we all draw the line at different places |
| Question: | La fecha de vencimiento es |
| Answer: | Thanks for asking. Our current yeast supply has an expiration date of 2023. Please let us know if we can help you with anything. |
| Question: | I am looking to make wine from some wild grapes. Will this yeast work |
| Answer: | Thank you for your inquiry.Yes, the pasteur red wine yeast will work with wild grapes. |
Distillers Yeast (DADY) (1 lb. bulk pack)
Home Brew Stuff
Product description
DADY (Distillers Active Dry Yeast) is a specially selected strain of Saccharomyces Cerevisae designed for distillers use in grain mash fermentations for ethanol. DADY will produce maximum alcohol yields under controlled temperatures (less than 90F/32C). It has been the choice of many producers in North America for over 20 years. DADY has been used in the manufacture of light spirit and Whiskeys. It is also used on corn mash and syrup fermentations. DADY is recommended for ABV productions lower than 15 percent.
- Distiller's Yeast (DADY)
- 1 Lb.
- Ferments Up to 22% Before Slowing
User questions & answers
| Question: | How long would this yeast keep in storage? There no expiration date! Also how would you store it? Refrigerator |
| Answer: | I'm not an expert, but what I've read is "keep it cool, dark and dry but don't freeze". It should last for years if conditions are good. Don't freeze it--that will kill the yeast. Always test the yeast before adding to your wash. Mix up a glass of warm water (75-100 deg F) with some sugar. Add the amount of DADY that your recipe calls for and gently stir....then let it sit for about 20 minutes. If it froths up like a good head on a mug of beer, the yeast is alive and working. Then, just pour the glass of froth into your wash. I've been keeping mine in the refrigerator and it seems to be doing fine. |
| Question: | What colony of Saccharomyces is in this yeast |
| Answer: | Cerevisiae. Hope this helps |
| Question: | What working temp range dose this have? Expiration date? If its shipped from amazon how long has it been sitting? In a uncontrolled warehouse |
| Answer: | I use ambient (room) temperature for making beer, mead and similar. We use plastic 5 gallon water carboys as fermenters with a water glass on top (bubbler after 2 days in warm months to keep the insects out). Carboys are set in a unused bath tub where the foaming can easily be cleaned up. Dose is at least 2 tablespoons added when I can touch the carboy comfortably and again in 12 hours if the process appears to be slower than expected. (My feelings are the best way to prevent "infection" is first - solid sanitation, second - overwhelm all possible contaminating microbes.The expiration date of yeast I received in January is 9/12/18. I keep it in the refrigerator until needed. Once opened, it is stored in a mason jar in the refrigerator. I also keep a super yeast handy as a back up for mead, honey wheat or anything else in case the fermentation gets stuck. This happens occasionally, but not often regardless if it is DADY or a super yeast added first. This may have to do with the sugar concentration in the carboy. I found that the higher the sugar concentration, the more apt to have a stuck fermentation. |
| Question: | Is this suitable for wine, cider, beer? If all which is it best for |
| Answer: | If you are looking for fancy brews, steer clear because it does have a little bit of an odd taste. While in quarantine due to Covid19, we played around with this yeast and 64oz apple and grape juice bottles and in 5 days we had a pretty strong bubbly brew. Mixing it with a little un-fermented juice of the same kind helped take the hard edge off. We also experimented with Kilju (sugar wine) which came out surprisingly well as a mixer to juices (3 to 1 mix brew to juice). Our Kilju took about 9 days with processed white sugar and about 6 days with "sugar in the raw". It was a fun cheap project for newbies with an easy learning curve. We suggest getting a good set of airlocks if you are gonna play. |
Shepherd Made Mead Making Kit (Mead-Kit), Multicolored
Shepherd Made
Product description
Mead (Honey wine) will require you to add 4 lbs. Of Honey and water to the kit to make mead. Follow the directions and drink the oldest fermented beverage man made. The mead will be ready to drink in only 7 days but will improve in taste with age.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Model Number: Mead-Kit
- Item Product Dimension: 10.0" L x 10.0" W x 10.0" H
- Item Package Weight: 4.0 lb
User questions & answers
| Question: | Hello, what is the size of the hole in the cork? I am trying to make a blow off tube for it |
| Answer: | The hole in the stopper is 3/8" but I would recommend disassembling the airlock and using 1/2" ID tubing on the post inside. This has worked great for me. |
| Question: | How much honey to water do you need |
| Answer: | I used a gallon of distilled water, which I heated half of it up to 170(thermometer, not boiling) then added 3 pounds of honey stirred till mixed. Then I put it into the carboy and filled with remaining water to about 2 or 3 inches from top. |
| Question: | Does this come With directions? I did not receive any |
| Answer: | Yes it comes with a single page of instructions, inside the box. |
| Question: | How many grams of yeast comes with this |
| Answer: | The kit contains one packet of 5g. |
Red Star Cote des Blancs Wine Yeast, 5 Gram - 10-Pack
Home Brew Ohio
Product description
This strain respects Typical varietal aromas of the grapes and intensifies primary aromas, especially those of very aromatic grape cultivars such as sauvignon blanc and moscato. Ideal for all high quality white wines with intense varietal expression such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, Riesling, gewürztraminer, moscato. Allows an optimum aromatic expression for the production of wines derivate from neutral grape cultivars. As an aromatic yeast strain, cute des blanks also showed very good results on sparkling and rose wines.
- Fast fermenting strain that ensures a Regular Fermentation even at low temperature
- Little temperature increase in case of Fermentation temperature is NOT controlled
- Alcohol tolerance: greater than 14 percent volt
User questions & answers
| Question: | Is this a good yeast for making sweet wine? If not what yeast is |
| Answer: | Thank you for your inquiry. Yes, the Cote des Blancs wine yeast will work for sweet wines. |
| Question: | Does this yeast do well with Meads |
| Answer: | I am not sure it was anything special from other yeasts. I used it for a wine and a beer. I think I would try it with mead. Good luck Len Collins |
| Question: | How many gallons of cider to one pack, to make hard cider |
| Answer: | Thanks for asking. Each package can treat up to 6 gallons of cider. |
| Question: | What is the alcohol tolerance of this yeast? the info on this page says its greater than 14%. But others say its |
| Answer: | I make both my cider and my cyser using this yeast. I add honey to my cider base to finish just north of 15% with this. I have made 5 or 6 batches and all have reliably finished in that range. Proper yeast nutrient, energizer, and temperature will also play a role in achieving the desired final gravity. |
Red Star RS-Cuveex10 Premier Cuvee Yeast 10 Packets
Red Star
Product description
This yeast has good tolerance to ethanol and free sulfur dioxide, and ferments to dryness. Premier cuvee is noted as a very low producer of foam, urea, and fusel oils. It is recommended for reds, whites and especially champagne. This yeast is reported to perform well restarting stuck fermentations. Winemakers have remarked that premier cuvee is the fastest, cleanest, and most neutral fermenter offered by red Star. Ferments best between 7 Degrees degree C (45 Degrees - 95 Degrees F). preparation: this envelope contains enough yeast to make up to 5 gallons (20-23 liters). for best results, dissolve yeast by adding about 1/4 cup (50ml) of water at about 38-41 Degrees Celsius(100-105 Degrees Fahrenheit) after opening, the yeast should be used within 1 month and kept under refrigeration. Alcohol tolerance: 14-16 percent , reds, whites, champagnes and stuck fermentations.
- Prise dE mousse strain is fast-starting, clean and neutral
- Premier cuvee is a popular choice because of its Consistently strong Fermentation characteristics and high alcohol tolerance, up to 18 percent
- The first choice for champagne and sparkling wines. Also good for restarting stuck fermentations
User questions & answers
| Question: | Does This Contain Gluten |
| Answer: | unsure on that |
| Question: | Prod. arrived 3.21.20. No expiration date on the package. When is the expiration date |
| Answer: | Typically these have a year plus of viability. The packages I have have the date above the logotowards the right side. It's very hard to see but it's there. Black printing on a dark blue isn't the best color choice. |
| Question: | How many packets do you get for $14.99? Thanks |
| Answer: | Do believe I got 10 packets at that price |
| Question: | Can you also use this in place of rapid-rise yeast used for bread-making |
| Answer: | You can use it for bread but it won't be rapid rising |
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