It’s completely normal to feel a bit stuck when your specific grape isn't on the list! The key to a great wine is matching the characteristics of your grape to the strengths of the yeast.


At MoreWine.com, our CellarScience® line is designed to make this selection easy by grouping yeasts into clear "style" categories. If your grape is missing from the guide, follow this simple breakdown to find the right CellarScience® match.

1. Match Your Grape "Style"

Look at the physical characteristics of your grapes and pick the corresponding CellarScience® strain:

  • Aromatic & Tropical Whites: (e.g., Muscat, Gewürztraminer, Riesling)

    • Use BOUQUET: This strain is a "terpene liberator." It’s designed to unlock floral, rose, and citrus aromas that are usually trapped in the grape skins.

  • Crisp & Refreshing Whites or Rosés: (e.g., Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Fruit Wines)

    • Use FRESH: This is a Bayanus strain that ferments clean and cold. It emphasizes stone fruit and keeps the wine bright and zesty.

  • Smooth & Fruit-Forward Reds: (e.g., Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Sangiovese)

    • Use RED: This strain emphasizes red berry flavors and produces intense color without needing years of aging to taste "smooth."

  • Big, Bold, & Aged Reds: (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah)

    • Use BIG RED: Choose this for high-tannin grapes. It produces high levels of glycerol and polysaccharides for a "huge" mouthfeel and stable color extraction for long-term aging.

    • Alternative: PURPLE: Great for Rhone varietals (Syrah/Grenache). It’s "low nutrient" and focuses on jammy, dark fruit notes.

2. Quick Selection Cheat Sheet

If you're still undecided, use this table as your "missing grape" compass:

If your grape is...Desired Wine ResultRecommended Strain
Unknown White"I want it smelling like flowers/citrus"BOUQUET
Unknown White"I want it crisp and clean"FRESH
Unknown Red"I want it drinkable in 6 months"RED
Unknown Red"I want it heavy, dark, and oak-aged"BIG RED
Any Fruit/Cider"I want the fruit flavor to pop"FRESH

3. The "Insurance" Strain

If you have a very difficult fermentation (high sugar, extreme temperatures, or a "wild" hybrid grape) and just want to ensure it reaches dryness, use CellarScience® BUBBLY.

While originally designed for sparkling wine, BUBBLY is an incredible "workhorse." It is extremely neutral, meaning it won't change the flavor of your grapes, but it is strong enough to ferment almost anything under almost any conditions.


Pro Tip: Don't Forget the Nutrients!

Even the best yeast needs "food" to perform. For the best results with any CellarScience® strain, we recommend the following regimen:

  1. FermStart: Use during rehydration to give the yeast a strong start.

  2. FermFed: Add during fermentation to prevent off-flavors like sulfur (rotten egg smells).