Afternoon Brief, July 26th

Breakthru Beverage Founder Rocky Wirtz Dies: Rocky Wirtz, co-chairman and founder of US distributor Breakthru Beverage Group and owner of ice hockey team Chicago Blackhawks, has died at the age of 70...

What does yeast fermentation have to do with wine quality? Absolutely everything! A significant difference between grape juice and wine is the yeast. In winemaking, yeast converts the sugars of wine grapes into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Yeasts also modify or create many of the flavors and aromas in wine as well. This process is what we know as fermentation. Winemaking is a craft because there are so many aspects of the whole process that need to be balanced.  Depending on the flavor profile a winemaker wants to achieve, they must carefully select not only their grapes, but also their yeast strain to make a polished, finished wine.  Blake Bomben, accomplished winemaker and Business Development Manager for our Fermented Beverages Department, said, “Yeast choice and oak selection are the two dominating choices a winemaker has in affecting the quality and outcome of their wine”  Quality and innovation from AB Biotek helps winemakers make better quality wine