LALVIN SILKA™

(Oenococcus oeni)

LALVIN SILKA was isolated in the famous region of La Rioja in Spain. It has been selected by Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (Institute of Grapevine and Wine Sciences) (ICVV), during an extensive research program starting in 2006. After a screening of 1000 natural isolates coming from different wineries and a full characterization, Lalvin SILKA gives unique sensory properties while responding to the demands of climate change in warm climates. Beside its good resistance to high alcohol content and regular MLF kinetic, Lalvin SILKA is recognized for its positive impact on the roundness, softening the astringency and bitterness of wines, and allows to achieve complex and very well balanced red wines, with a nice aromatic persistency. Due to its unique origin and sensory impact particularly on softening tannins, Lalvin SILKA is also very well suited to conduct MLF in contact with oak. Compared to a spontaneous MLF, the wines inoculated with Lalvin SILKA havea better integrated oak sensation, with an elegant structure and present a highest aromatic freshness. After several months, the wines elaborated with Lalvin SILKA are still fruity and fresh whereas the control wines have overripearomas characteristics.

Selected by Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (ICVV), Spain