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Impact Of Selected Vitamins On Alcoholic Fermentations Induced By Saccharomyces

High and low nitrogen levels in grape must can cause sensory and economic issues in the production of fine wine. The amount of available nitrogen in the fermentation is key to the healthy formation and reproduction of yeast during fermentation and completion to dryness. While high levels of yeast assimilable/available nitrogen (YAN) can cause off aromas and reduction in the fermentations they typically ferment to dryness. Low YANs are problematic because there is not enough nitrogen present to ferment to dryness and stuck fermentations are often the result. Researchers found that certain vitamins successfully added to must helped to successfully ferment the wine to dryness without the development of undesirable aromas. The addition of biotin and pantothenic acid (B vitamins) were added to fermentations in varying levels for three vintages. Researchers found that grapes in the Pacific Northwest are typically low in biotin and pantothenic acid, the absence of these may contribute to stuck fermentations and the ability for yeast to access nitrogen. The addition of these specific vitamins can improve the fermentation health and promote desirable aromas in fine wine.

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Protecting Stuck Wine Fermentations with Lysozyme.

Stuck, or sluggish, grape juice fermentations are a recurring problem in the wine industry. Defined as those that take longer than two weeks to finish ,or those that stop prematurely with a residual sugar concentration of greater than 0.2%, stuck fermentations can severely delay the fermentation schedule in a commercial winery. This needlessly extends harvest and dominates tank space.

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Biological Control of Spider Mites in Washington Viticulture

Eliminating the need for season-long vineyard spray control can save growers up to $100 per acre annually in miticide costs (average miticide application cost of $35 per acre). With an estimated 55,000 acres of wine grapes in the state today, reducing miticide applications from three to one can save the industry about $3.5 million annually in pesticide costs, and increase sustainability by building biodiversity and employing integrated pest management (IPM) in vineyards.

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Systematic evaluation of sulfur use for management of grape powdery mildew

Nitrogen levels in grape must that are either too high or too low can cause sensory and economic issues in the production of fine wine. The amount of available nitrogen during fermentation is key to the healthy formation and reproduction of yeast, and completion of the process to dryness. The major yeast strain that dominates healthy alcoholic fermentation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, typically produces one molecule of urea, glutamate, and proline from the metabolism of the amino arginine.

Continue ReadingSystematic evaluation of sulfur use for management of grape powdery mildew

Developing Pinot noir crop load metrics that are adaptable to Winery site and wine quality production goals II-grape and wine quality evaluation

Nitrogen levels in grape must that are either too high or too low can cause sensory and economic issues in the production of fine wine. The amount of available nitrogen during fermentation is key to the healthy formation and reproduction of yeast, and completion of the process to dryness. The major yeast strain that dominates healthy alcoholic fermentation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, typically produces one molecule of urea, glutamate, and proline from the metabolism of the amino arginine.

Continue ReadingDeveloping Pinot noir crop load metrics that are adaptable to Winery site and wine quality production goals II-grape and wine quality evaluation