What is the alcohol tolerance of Lalvin yeast?

Answered by Joseph Vos

Lalvin 71B-1122 is a fantastic choice for a variety of wines, including blush, whites, nouveau, and young red wines. It is also suitable for making wines with a little residual sugar left over, making it a versatile option for winemakers.

One of the standout features of Lalvin 71B-1122 is its ability to handle a relatively high content. It has an alcohol tolerance of approximately 14%, which means it can ferment a until it reaches this level of alcohol before the becomes inactive. This tolerance is quite impressive and allows for the production of wines with a moderate to high alcohol content.

This yeast strain is particularly well-suited for producing late harvest wines. Late harvest wines are made from grapes that are left on the vine for an extended period, allowing them to naturally concentrate their sugars. The Lalvin 1122 yeast can handle the higher sugar content of these grapes and ferment them effectively, resulting in a delicious and sweet late harvest wine.

In addition to grape wines, Lalvin 1122 can also be used to make non-grape wines, such as raspberry or strawberry wines. These fruit wines often have a lower alcohol content compared to grape wines, and Lalvin 1122 is a good choice for fermenting them.

Personally, I have used Lalvin 1122 yeast in several winemaking projects, and I have been consistently impressed with its performance. It has proven to be reliable and consistent, producing wines with excellent flavor profiles. Whether I was making a crisp or a fruity raspberry wine, Lalvin 1122 delivered consistent results.

To summarize, Lalvin 71B-1122 yeast has an alcohol tolerance of approximately 14%. It is a versatile yeast strain suitable for producing blush, whites, nouveau, and young red wines. It is also a good choice for late harvest wines, concord grape wines, and non-grape fruit wines. Its ability to handle a range of alcohol levels makes it a popular choice among winemakers.