Project title: Zygosaccharomyces – is there a crisis looming in low-alcohol wines?
Project number: SAGWRI MdT 25-01
Project leader: Prof Maret du Toit
Institution: South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI), Stellenbosch University
Start date: 2025
Project description: Reports from the industry indicate an increasing trend in Zygosaccharomyces yeast spoilage in bottled wines, especially in the low and zero-alcohol wine categories. This is a newly developed sector with huge growth potential. The occurrence of Zygosaccharomyces spoilage and solutions to prevent it, therefore, merits an investigation to minimise economic and reputational losses. The objectives of this project are:
- To understand the problem and the microorganisms involved,
- To assess the effectiveness of current preservation compounds and methods used,
- To determine the impact of the matrix on the functioning of the products currently used and
- Finally, new methods will be proposed to preserve and protect wine quality in the low-alcohol sectors.