Choosing the right wine yeast is one of the most important decisions a home winemaker can make. The yeast doesn’t just ferment your juice it shapes the flavor, aroma, and character of every bottle you produce. With so many strains available, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best wine yeasts on the market, highlighting their strengths, ideal uses, and what makes each one unique.
Whether you’re crafting your very first batch or refining your favorite recipe, this resource will help you select the yeast that brings your wine to life with confidence and clarity.
As a group we’re agreed. If we had to recommend just one yeast, it would be Lalvin Bourgovin RC212™. It’s reliable, fruit forward, and promotes color and tannin stabilization. With an Alcohol Tolerance of 16%, it’s easy to ferment to completion. Put simply, it combines more desirable attributes into one yeast than any other variety. Get the latest price here Lalvin Bourgovin RC212™ and see the difference in your next batch.
Lalvin Bourgovin RC212™ has been isolated in the Burgundy region of France, by the Bureau Interprofessionel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) for its ability to highlight the Pinot Noir grape variety qualitative potential, especially in regards to the polyphenols. Indeed, thanks to its limited cell wall polyphenol absorption, Lalvin Bourgovin RC212™ promotes color and tannin stabilization during fermentation. This specific property makes Lalvin Bourgovin RC212™ a perfect choice to ferment grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Grenache and Zinfandel with delicate structure, ripe cherry, bright fruity and spicy character.
Choose Lalvin Bourgovin RC212™ when you’re making a Pinot Noir or other reds where Color and Tannin structure matters. Many wines made from fruit other than grapes need Tannin added and this yeast will support balance and structure.
Wine styles
For delicate and elegant red wines (supports color and structure)
Temperature Range
18 – 30°C (64 – 86°F)
Aroma
Ripe cherry, bright fruity and spicy characteristics.
Alcohol Tolerance
Up to 16%
Inoculation Rate
0.2-0.4 g/L
Ready to add this yeast to your wine making kit? You can find Lalvin Bourgovin RC212™ here, get latest price on Amazon.
Lalvin EC1118™ has been selected in a famous sparkling wine region for its excellent properties in producing sparkling base wine as well as “in-bottle” secondary fermentation. It is very resistant to osmotic pressure. Lalvin EC1118™ is known for its robust and reliable fermentation kinetics. Its sensory contribution is considered neutral as it gives very little sensory contribution to the wine. It is used extensively in the world for the production of both white and red wines.
Choose Lalvin EC1118™ when you need neutral, bulletproof performance or to restart a ferment. This yeast specializes in its reliability and its neutral contribution to flavor. For these reasons, this yeast is the favorite of many home winemakers.
Wine styles
Sparkling wine base and Prise de Mousse.
Temperature Range
10 – 30°C (50 – 86°F)
Aroma
Neutral
Alcohol Tolerance
Up to 18%
Inoculation Rate
0.2-0.4 g/L
Ready to add this workhorse yeast to your wine making kit? You can find Lalvin EC1118™ here, get latest price on Amazon.
Lalvin K1-(V1116)™ has been selected by INRA Montpellier located in France in the Mediterranean region. When fermented at low temperatures (below 16°C) and with the right addition of nutrients, Lalvin K1-(V1116)™ is one of the yeast producing the most floral esters (isoamyl acetate, hexyl acetate, phenyl ethyl acetate). These esters bring fresh floral aromas to neutral varieties or high-yield grapes. Among the high ester producers, Lalvin K1-(V1116)™ is the most resistant strain in difficult fermentation conditions, such as low turbidity, low temperature and low fatty acid content. Lalvin K1-(V1116)™ is also a proven strain for the fermentation of ice wines.
Choose Lalvin K1-(V1116)™ when you want to bring fresh floral aromas to neutral fruit varieties or high-yield grapes. This is another variety that is excellent to restart stuck a ferment. For these reasons, this yeast is the favorite of many home winemakers.
Wine styles
Fresh and Fruity Styles. Aromatic Red, White, Late Harvest, and Sparkling Wines
Temperature Range
10 – 35°C (50 – 95°F)
Aroma
Flowery ester (banana and fresh red fruit)
Alcohol Tolerance
Up to 18%
Inoculation Rate
0.2-0.4 g/L
Ready to add this yeast to your wine making kit? You can find Lalvin K1-(V1116)™ here, get latest price on Amazon.
Lalvin D47™ has been isolated in France in the Côtes-du-Rhône area by the ICV (Institut Coopératif du Vin) to produce full-bodied barrel-fermented Chardonnay and other white varietal grapes. Due to the release of polysaccharides into the must during fermentation, this yeast contributes to a round, soft palate with good weight.
This process can also help to stabilize aromatic compounds. Lalvin D47™ is highly recommended to produce premium, barrel fermented Chardonnay. When left on lees, spicy, tropical and citrus notes will develop and the wine is then said to have a silky persistence. This strain is very compatible with malolactic-bacteria.
Choose Lalvin D47™ when you are fermenting light colored fruit or even Rosé to emphasize citrus and tropical fruit. Wonderful with stone fruit and cider. This yeast is very popular with many home winemakers.
Wine styles
Complex white and Rosé wines with citrus and floral notes.
Temperature Range
15 – 30°C (59 – 86°F)
Aroma
Tropical fruit and white floral notes
Alcohol Tolerance
Up to 15%
Inoculation Rate
0.2-0.4 g/L
Ready to add this yeast to your wine making kit? You can find Lalvin D47™ here, get the latest price on Amazon.
Lalvin 71B™ has been isolated and selected by INRA Narbonne (France), for its ability to produce a high level of esters (isoamyl ester), allowing it to reinforce the aromatic profile of wines fermented from neutral varieties. Lalvin 71B™ has the capacity to absorb polyphenolic compounds on its cellular wall which limits tannin structure of young and fresh red wine.
Grape must inoculated with Lalvin 71B™ will easily go through malolactic fermentation, as 20-40% of malic acid can be metabolized by this yeast strain during primary fermentation. Lalvin 71B™ is the perfect choice to create young, fresh and fruity red, rosé and white wines that are easy to drink. It is also a good choice for late harvest wines.
Choose Lalvin 71B™ for Red, Rose, White Wine. Young and fruit wine with smooth tannin structure as well as fruit ciders. This yeast is a firm favorite with many home winemakers as it can be used with almost any fruit.
Wine styles
Red, rosé and white young, fresh and fruity wine with smooth tannin structure as well as fruit ciders
Temperature Range
15 – 30°C (59 – 86°F)
Aroma
Tropical fruit and banana flavor.
Alcohol Tolerance
Up to 14%
Inoculation Rate
0.2-0.4 g/L
Ready to add this yeast to your wine making kit? You can find Lalvin 71B™ here, get the latest price on Amazon.
Our team members have spent countless hours crafting wine, experimenting with a wide range of kits, ingredients, and techniques. This experience is now used in pursuit of the best options for home winemakers. From testing different fruit varieties, yeast varieties, fermentation methods, and equipment. We’ve explored what works (and what doesn’t) to ensure every recommendation comes from real, hands-on experience.
In the end, the yeast you choose will set the tone for your wine, influencing not just the fermentation, but the flavor, aroma, and overall character of your finished bottles. After comparing the most trusted strains, my top recommendation is Lalvin Bourgovin RC212™. Known for its ability to enhance color and bring out rich, complex flavors in red wines, it’s a dependable choice for both new and experienced winemakers. With RC212™, you’ll have the confidence that your wine will ferment cleanly and develop the depth and balance every home winemaker strives for.
