Yeast guide

Lalvin QA23

QA23 is the crisp white specialist. It ferments clean and dry while releasing more of the delicate aromatics already in the must, which is exactly what light floral wines like elderflower need.

15 to 32°C
Ferments at
16% ABV
Alcohol tolerance
Lallemand
Maker

What it's like

It is an easy keeper too: low nutrient and oxygen demands mean it behaves in simple home musts. For sharp green fruit like gooseberry it keeps things bright and fresh where a heavier yeast would flatten them.

It is not the pick for big reds or rich meads; its talent is delicacy. For hedgerow whites and anything you would describe as crisp rather than deep, it is hard to beat.

Use it for

Elderflower, gooseberry, crisp aromatic whites. The one to try for elderflower wine, gooseberry wine, and any batch you want zippy and fragrant.

Plan the batch: honey for a mead, sugar for a wine, then ABV from your readings. All free.

Other yeasts in the guide

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