The Role and Use of Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts in Wine Production
The Role and Use of Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts in Wine Production N.P. Jolly1*, O.P.H. Augustyn1 and I.S. Pretorius2** (1) ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij***, Private Bag X5026, 7599 Stellenbosch, South Africa. (2) Institute for Wine Biotechnology, Department of Viticulture & Oenology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, 7602 Matieland (Stellenbosch), South Africa. Submitted for publication: September 2005 Accepted for publication: April 2006 Key words: Non-Saccharomyces, yeasts, vineyards, cellars, fermentation, wine. The contribution by the numerous grape-must-associated non-Saccharomyces yeasts to wine fermentation has been debated extensively. These yeasts, naturally present in all wine fermentations, are metabolically active and their metabolites can impact on wine quality. Although often seen as a source of microbial spoilage, there is substantial contrary evidence pointing to a positive contribution by these yeasts. The role of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in wine fermentation is therefore receiving increasing attention by wine microbiologists in Old and New World wine producing countries. Species that have been investigated for wine production thus far include those from the Candida, Kloeckera, Hanseniaspora, Zygosaccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Torulaspora, Brettanomyces, Saccharomycodes, Pichia and Williopsis genera. In this review the use and role of non-Saccharomyces yeast in wine production is presented and research trends are discussed. INTRODUCTION roles of the numerous non-Saccharomyces yeasts normally asso- ciated with grape must and wine. These yeasts, naturally present Wine is the product of a complex biological and biochemical in all wine fermentations to a greater or lesser extent, are meta- interaction between grapes (grape juice) and different microor- bolically active and their metabolites can impact on wine quality.
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