Scott Labs Yeast Choosing Guide (2024)

Last Updated:9/2022

Applies to:Winemakers looking for assistance in selecting and comparing Scott Labs yeast strains.This guide contains downloadable pdf choosing charts (see end of article)that characterize our yeasts by fermentation kinetics, sensory impact & recommended variety.

Scott Labs Yeast Choosing Guide (1)

Selecting Yeast for Success

Every fermentation presents different opportunities and challenges. Selecting the right yeast can help ensure a successful outcome. Yeast should be selected in two steps:

1. Identify which yeast strains are compatible with fermentation conditions

Potential Alcohol

Yeast strains vary in their ability to tolerate alcohol. Alcohol (ethanol) can destabilize yeast cell membranes which interferes with sugar uptake, slows fermentation rate, and makes yeast more sensitive to other stress factors.Ensure that the chosen yeast strain has a higher alcohol tolerance than the potential alcohol of the wine, otherwise a stuck fermentation may occur.

Temperature

Yeast strains vary in their temperature tolerances.Yeast will become stressed if fermenting at the upper or lower end of the recommended range. If temperature can’t be controlled, choose a yeast with a large temperature range. When working with high potential alcohol fermentations, lower fermentation temperatures are recommended.

Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen (YAN)

Yeast strains vary in their need for yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN). Our strains are classified as low, medium, or high nitrogen- demand. YAN can be supplemented to meet the nitrogen needs of the yeast strain using fermentation nutrients. In situations where the juice/must is particularly YAN deficient, choose a yeast strain with low nitrogen needs.

2. Compare the sensory impact of compatible yeast strains

Sensory Impact

Yeast contribute to wine aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel. They can release aromas from grapes as well as produce aromatic compounds themselves. Certain strains also produce polysaccharides and other compounds increasing mouthfeel. Select yeast with traits best suited for the intended wine style.

Avoiding Hydrogen Sulfites (H2S) and Other Sulfur Off-Odors

Yeast can produce sulfur off-odors, especially in low nutrient environments. The amount of sulfur off-odors produced varies by yeast strain and fermentation conditions. Some yeast strains have been selectively bred to produce no (or very little) H2S, even under stressful conditions.

Choosing Chart pdf Downloads

White and Rosé

Download

Reds

Download

American and Hybrid Cultivars

Download

Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts

Download

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Scott Labs Yeast Choosing Guide (2024)

FAQs

How do I choose the right yeast? ›

Yeast should be selected in two steps:
  1. Identify which yeast strains are compatible with fermentation conditions. Potential Alcohol. Yeast strains vary in their ability to tolerate alcohol. ...
  2. Compare the sensory impact of compatible yeast strains. Sensory Impact. Yeast contribute to wine aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel.

What is the competitive killer factor in yeast? ›

What is yeast killer factor? Killer yeast contain a toxin in their cell wall structure that allows them to kill toxin sensitive foreign yeast cells. Most killer strains of S. cerevisiae have good fermentation kinetics and, therefore, have a greater chance of dominating the fermentation.

How to select yeast for wine? ›

The first consideration in selecting a yeast is matching the strain to the grape variety and desired style of wine (e.g., dry vs. sweet, light vs. full-bodied, sparkling, mead, etc.), and environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, pH, rotten berries, etc.) that may work against the yeast.

What is the best yeast for fructose? ›

The most efficient fructose utilizing yeast is the Uvaferm 43™ YSEO®, whereas the least efficient is found to be the Lalvin 71B™ YSEO®.

What yeast do professional bakers use? ›

Fresh yeast, sometimes called cake yeast or compressed yeast, is a block of fresh yeast cells that contains about 70% moisture and is commonly used by baking professionals. It's pale beige in color, soft and crumbly with a texture similar to a soft pencil eraser, and has a stronger yeast smell than dry yeast.

Which yeast to use choosing the best type for any recipe? ›

ACTIVE DRY YEAST is best for artisan or no knead doughs that proof in the refrigerator for extended periods of time. Don't skip the “proof” step. INSTANT YEAST is best for quick rising breads.

What yeast kills other yeast? ›

A killer yeast is a yeast, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is able to secrete one of a number of toxic proteins which are lethal to susceptible cells. These "killer toxins" are polypeptides that kill sensitive cells of the same or related species, often functioning by creating pores in target cell membranes.

What are the 3 conditions for yeast? ›

It requires moisture, warmth, food, and nutrients for their growth. These conditions help to fungi to grow and reproduce. Yeast is commercially cultured on an aerated suspension of molasses. It is a type of sugar that serves as a food source for the yeast.

What is the lowest temperature that kills all yeast cells? ›

130° F—140° F (55° C–60° C) Yeast cells die (thermal death point).

What yeast makes the highest alcohol content in wine? ›

As such, the highest alcohol tolerance yeast is going to be wine yeast. Wine yeast is known for having a strong attraction to high sugar beverages, and you can rely on them to continue producing alcohol all the way up to even 25%.

What is the most suitable yeast for wine making? ›

The most common yeast generally associated with winemaking is Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is also used in bread making and brewing. Other genera of yeast that can be involved in winemaking (either beneficially or as the cause of potential wine faults) include: Brettanomyces (Teleomorph Dekkera)

Which yeast is best for alcohol? ›

One yeast in particular that brewers like to use is called Turbo yeast, which produces a higher ABV, so it may be of interest to ethanol producers, in contrast to baker's yeast, which has a very low tolerance for alcohol and will see a death or dormancy of yeast once alcohol levels surpass 8%.

What sugar ferments the fastest? ›

After collecting our data, we found that glucose had the highest rate of fermentation, followed by lactose, and then deionized water had the lowest rate of fermentation, as displayed by Figure 1 in the appendix.

What is the best yeast brand? ›

The most shelf-stable and reliable type of yeast is instant yeast, and our favorite brands are SAF Red Label and Dr. Oetker. Dry yeast is one of the miracles of modern baking—a free-flowing granular powder made from millions upon millions of dehydrated single-celled organisms.

Which sugar is best for yeast fermentation? ›

Glucose is the preferred substrate of yeast [1,41]. In this study, at least 23.6 ± 2.6% of the total amount of glucose released from the sucrose or fructan was consumed. The residual glucose and fructose remained in the final product.

Is instant or active dry yeast better? ›

Not only does it skip the proofing/dissolving step, instant yeast simply ramps up more quickly than active dry. Dough made with instant yeast and shaped into a loaf will rise to its optimal height significantly more quickly than a shaped loaf made with active dry yeast.

What is the best yeast for home baking and why? ›

Easy Bake/ Instant/ Fast Action Yeast

This is probably the easiest and most convenient variety to use. It is a very small pellet and can be added to the flour without being dissolved or activated first. As you add water to the flour it will dissolve readily into the dough.

What to look for when buying fresh yeast? ›

Choose the best yeast

Fresh yeast is reckoned to give the best flavour - it should be firm and moist, with a cream colour. Avoid any that is dark or dry and crumbly. Granular yeast is more convenient than fresh yeast, as it keeps for longer.

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