Name (German: Zuckerhefen, Zuckerpilze) for a yeast genus in the department of tubular fungi. The name is derived from the ability to utilize different carbohydrates (saccharum = sugar). The yeasts, which grow very rapidly under ideal conditions, can reach maturity within only three days. The most important species for the fermentation of beer and wine are Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) with the subspecies bayanus and uvarum and Saccharomyces carlsbergensis shown in the picture. The species Cerevisiae are also called "true wine yeasts" due to their positive strong fermenting properties. Others are S. bailii, S. ellipsoides and S. rouxii. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is also used for the synthetic production of insulin. For vinification, see yeasts.
![]()
In the past, you needed a wealth of encyclopaedias and specialist literature to keep up to date in your vinophile professional life. Today, Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one of my best helpers and can rightly be called the "bible of wine knowledge".
Prof. Dr. Walter Kutscher
Lehrgangsleiter Sommelierausbildung WIFI-Wien