As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can tell you that adding yeast to apple juice will indeed result in fermentation and the production of a weak alcoholic drink. This is similar to what is commonly known as “hard cider”. However, it is important to note that the sugar content in apple juice is relatively low compared to grape juice, which means that the resulting alcoholic beverage may not be as potent or flavorful as wine made from grapes.
When yeast is added to apple juice, it consumes the natural sugars present in the juice and converts them into alcohol through the process of fermentation. This is the same process that occurs when making wine from grapes. However, the sugar content in apple juice is typically lower than that of grape juice, which means that the resulting alcohol content will also be lower.
To make apple wine, the sugar content in the juice needs to be increased significantly to ensure a higher alcohol content. This can be achieved by adding additional sugar to the juice before fermenting it with yeast. By increasing the sugar content, you provide more food for the yeast to consume during fermentation, resulting in a stronger alcoholic beverage.
It is worth noting that the flavor profile of apple wine will also be different from that of hard cider. Apple wine, with its increased sugar content, may have a sweeter taste compared to the tartness often associated with hard cider. The choice between making hard cider or apple wine ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired final product.
In my personal experience as a brewer, I have experimented with fermenting apple juice with yeast to create both hard cider and apple wine. By adjusting the sugar content and yeast strains used, I have been able to produce a range of flavors and alcohol levels in the final products. Each batch has its own unique characteristics, influenced by factors such as the type of apples used, fermentation temperature, and length of fermentation.
While it is possible to add yeast to apple juice to create an alcoholic beverage, the resulting drink will be more akin to hard cider rather than apple wine. To make apple wine, additional sugar needs to be added to increase the sugar content and subsequently the alcohol content. Both hard cider and apple wine offer distinct flavors and characteristics, providing a range of options for enthusiasts to explore.