Wednesday, September 10, 2008

One of these things is not like the other...

Whilst Vinomaker is downstairs feverishly marrying yeast to must, (well, maybe he's not that excited), I am reflecting on the attributes of different strains of yeast.  I slipped a 'red herring' into the above photo (thanks Thud).  To say, "yeast is yeast" and it all makes alcohol, is akin to saying that a dog is a dog and one can hunt as well as another.  Whilst you can make wine with bread yeast, you'll end up hunting with a Chihuahua. Different yeasts have different characteristics.  There are thousands of strains that have been identified and they all behave differently.  Some are only capable of fermenting up to 7 or 8 % alcohol.  Others will ferment to higher levels, but will also produce foul tasting compounds in the process, etc., etc.  One thing is for sure, once the must is charged with yeast, there's no turning back.
Release the hounds.

4 comments:

Lord Roby said...

Any chance of a bottle of this years Red Herring!

Thud said...

down boy...I'll make you a Hovis butty to go with vinomakers finest next week!

Thud said...

The chihuahua hunters of chathualtapec have been known to capture a Puma by yipping and irritating them to a nervous breakdown.

Vinogirl said...

Are they related to the Carthusians by any chance?