Red Star Premier Cuvee

Red Star Premier Cuvée (Davis #796) a strain of Saccharomyces bayanus, of French origin, is a special isolate of Lesaffre. This yeast has good tolerance to ethanol and free sulfur dioxide, and ferments to dryness. Premier Cuvée is noted as a very low producer of foam, urea, and fusel oils. It is recommended for reds, whites, and especially sparkling wines. This yeast is reported to perform well restarting stuck fermentations. Winemakers have remarked that Premier Cuvée is the fastest, cleanest, and most neutral fermenter offered by Lesaffre. Ferments best between 7degree-35degreeC (45degree-95degreeF) although best around 68degreeF. Red Star Active Dry Wine yeast is grown on cane and beet molasses under highly aerobic conditions, which assures better survival of live cells toward the end of the fermentation than yeasts grown in must under anaerobic conditions. All of Red Star wine yeast strains have been adapted to perform well in the presence of normal levels of SO2. Red Star yeast is dried under carefully controlled conditions in an airlift drier to assure a high live cell count and to permit ease of rehydration. Shelf life of unopened vacuum pack at room temperature (20degreeC, 68degreeF) is up to 2 years. If kept refrigerated (4degreeC, 45degreeF), shelf life will exceed 2 years. After opening, use within 4 weeks. Store an opened package tightly sealed, under refrigeration, removing as much air as possible.