What is yeast nutrient? When do I use it?
Yeast nutrient is the winemaking equivalent of garden fertiliser. Yeast is a single cell ‘plant’ that, just like garden vegetables, needs the right nutrition. In particular, it needs a source of fermentable nitrogen. If this is lacking, the fermentation may stop completely, or it may take a wrong turning and start producing hydrogen sulphide, the bad egg gas. You can obtain yeast nutrient from any winemaking supplier. For quantity, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and always add it to the juice before starting the fermentation.
