Lalvin 71B Wine Yeast: A Review
If you are looking for a wine yeast that can produce fruity and floral wines with a smooth mouthfeel and a balanced acidity, you might want to consider Lalvin 71B. This is a popular and versatile yeast strain that can be used for making white, red, rosé, nouveau, and late harvest wines, as well as cider, mead, and kombucha. In this article, we will review the product details, features, benefits, and application of Lalvin 71B wine yeast, and compare it with some similar products on the market. We will also share some representative product reviews from customers who have used this yeast for their home winemaking projects.
Product Details
Lalvin 71B wine yeast is a dried active yeast that comes in 5-gram sachets. Each sachet can inoculate up to 5 gallons of must or juice. The yeast is produced by Lallemand, a leading company in the field of yeast and bacteria for winemaking, brewing, and food industries. The yeast is sold by CAPYBARA Distributors Inc., an online retailer that specializes in home winemaking and brewing supplies. You can buy a pack of 10 sachets for $9.99 on Amazon.
Features and Benefits
Lalvin 71B wine yeast has several features and benefits that make it a great choice for home winemakers. Here are some of them:
– It is a fast starter that can ferment consistently and completely between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
– It has a good alcohol tolerance of up to 14%, which means it can produce dry wines with moderate alcohol levels.
– It has the ability to metabolize up to 40% of malic acid, which is the main acid in grapes and other fruits. This reduces the acidity and sharpness of the wine, and enhances the fruity and floral aromas.
– It can absorb some of the polyphenolic compounds from the must or juice, which reduces the astringency and bitterness of the wine, and improves the color stability and clarity.
– It can produce a high level of esters, which are aromatic compounds that contribute to the complexity and freshness of the wine. Some of the esters produced by Lalvin 71B are isoamyl acetate (banana), ethyl acetate (fruity), and hexyl acetate (apple).
– It can easily go through malolactic fermentation, which is a secondary fermentation that converts malic acid into lactic acid and carbon dioxide. This adds smoothness and creaminess to the wine, and lowers the risk of spoilage by bacteria.
– It is suitable for a wide range of wines, especially those made from neutral or low-aroma varieties. It can enhance the flavor and aroma profile of wines made from grapes, apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, berries, honey, and more.
Application
Lalvin 71B wine yeast is easy to use and apply for home winemaking. Here are some general steps to follow:
– Before adding the yeast, make sure the must or juice is properly prepared, sanitized, and adjusted for sugar, acid, and nutrient levels. You can use a hydrometer, a pH meter, and a titration kit to measure these parameters.
– Rehydrate the yeast in some warm water (about 104°F or 40°C) for 15 minutes. This will activate the yeast cells and improve their viability and performance.
– Add the rehydrated yeast to the must or juice and stir well. Make sure the temperature difference between the yeast and the must or juice is not more than 18°F (10°C) to avoid shocking the yeast.
– Cover the fermentation vessel with an airlock or a loose lid to allow the carbon dioxide to escape and prevent oxygen and contaminants from entering.
– Monitor the fermentation progress by checking the specific gravity, the temperature, and the appearance of the must or juice. You can also taste and smell the wine to evaluate its flavor and aroma development.
– When the fermentation is complete, rack the wine to a secondary vessel and add sulfites to prevent oxidation and spoilage. You can also add fining agents to clarify the wine and remove any unwanted particles or substances.
– Age the wine for several months or longer, depending on the style and quality of the wine. You can also bottle the wine when it is ready and store it in a cool and dark place.
Comparison with Similar Products
To help you decide if Lalvin 71B wine yeast is the right one for you, we have compared it with some similar products on the market. Here is a table that summarizes the main differences and similarities among them:
| Product | Price | Alcohol Tolerance | Malic Acid Metabolism | Ester Production | Suitable Wines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lalvin 71B | $9.99 for 10 sachets | Up to 14% | Up to 40% | High | White, red, rosé, nouveau, late harvest, cider, mead, kombucha |
| Lalvin EC-1118 | $9.99 for 10 sachets | Up to 18% | None | Low | Sparkling, dry, white, red, cider, mead |
| Lalvin K1-V1116 | $9.99 for 10 sachets | Up to 18% | None | High | White, red, rosé, fruit, cider, mead |
| Red Star Premier Blanc | $8.99 for 10 sachets | Up to 18% | None | Low | Sparkling, dry, white, red, cider, mead |
| Red Star Côte des Blancs | $8.99 for 10 sachets | Up to 14% | None | Moderate | White, rosé, fruit, cider, mead |
As you can see, Lalvin 71B wine yeast has some unique advantages over the other products, such as its ability to metabolize malic acid and produce high levels of esters. However, it also has some limitations, such as its lower alcohol tolerance and its preference for moderate fermentation temperatures. Therefore, you should choose the wine yeast that best suits your needs and preferences, depending on the type and style of wine you want to make.
Product Reviews
To give you a better idea of what other customers think of Lalvin 71B wine yeast, we have selected some representative product reviews from Amazon. Here are some of them:
– “I have used this yeast for several batches of fruit wine and cider, and I am very happy with the results. It ferments quickly and cleanly, and leaves a nice fruity and floral aroma. It also reduces the acidity and sharpness of the wine, and makes it smoother and more balanced. I highly recommend this yeast for anyone who wants to make a fresh and easy-drinking wine.”
– “This yeast is awesome for dark fruity wines. It works well even without energizers or pitching. I just throw it in the cold juice with the sugar, shake it all up, and it gets busy. In about three weeks, I have alcoholic goodness to enjoy. It also produces a lot of esters, which add complexity and freshness to the wine. It is my go-to yeast for making wine from berries, cherries, and plums.”
– “I have used this yeast for making mead and kombucha, and it does a great job. It ferments fast and dry, and produces a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. It also enhances the honey and tea flavors, and adds some fruity and floral notes. It is a versatile and reliable yeast that can handle different types of sugars and fruits.”
– “I was disappointed with this yeast. It did not ferment as dry as I expected, and left a lot of residual sweetness in the wine. It also did not produce much aroma or flavor, and made the wine bland and boring. It also did not work well at higher temperatures, and stalled halfway through the fermentation. I would not buy this yeast again.”
Conclusion
Lalvin 71B wine yeast is a great product for home winemakers who want to make fruity and floral wines with a smooth mouthfeel and a balanced acidity. It is suitable for a wide range of wines, especially those made from neutral or low-aroma varieties. It has the ability to metabolize malic acid and produce high levels of esters, which enhance the flavor and aroma profile of the wine. It is also easy to use and apply, and can ferment consistently and completely between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
However, Lalvin 71B wine yeast also has some drawbacks, such as its lower alcohol tolerance and its preference for moderate fermentation temperatures. It may not be the best choice for making high-alcohol or sparkling wines, or for fermenting in very cold or hot conditions. It may also leave some residual sweetness in the wine, which may not be desirable for some winemakers.
Therefore, you should choose the wine yeast that best suits your needs and preferences, depending on the type and style of wine you want to make. You can also compare Lalvin 71B wine yeast with some similar products on the market, and read some product reviews from other customers to get a better idea of what to expect.
If you are interested in buying Lalvin 71B wine yeast, you can click here to order it from Amazon. You can also browse other home winemaking and brewing supplies from CAPYBARA Distributors Inc. by clicking here. Happy winemaking!
Link direct:
Click to Buy!
