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New frozen yeast for easy wine-making ready for next vintage

Press release -

New frozen yeast for easy wine-making ready for next vintage

Directly inoculated Viniflora® FrootZen™ changes the way winemakers see their alcoholic fermentations.

Now wineries can meet consumer demands for natural, authentic and fruiter wines – and benefit from the convenience of direct inoculation in the production process as well.
Chr. Hansen once again launches a breakthrough innovation within enology: A frozen, direct inoculation Pichia kluyveri yeast product for winemakers producing
aromatic and fresh white or rosé wines.

Launched with great success in New Zealand in December the new product will be available in France as well in the US on June 1, 2011, right on time for next vintage.

Boosting fruit intensity and longevity

Viniflora® FrootZen™ is based on a yeast strain found naturally in grape juice but never
commercially used in enology until now. It is a direct inoculation product (no rehydration) containing 20 years of know-how developed within Chr. Hansen.

“The use of this strain helps to bring out the flavor precursors contained in grape juice more efficiently when associated with traditional yeast available on the market today, which boosts tropical fruit notes; it also increases the mouth-feel of the final wine and delivers long lasting fruit flavors which increases the wine’s complexity in a very sustainable way,” explains Duncan Hamm, Commercial Oenologist, Chr. Hansen.

Back from New Zealand he reports that “the clear difference brought by FrootZen™ in fruit intensity and longevity is obvious both for winemakers and anyone grading the wine. Hence the product is interesting to white winemakers producing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Riesling. On top of this the direct inoculation system is really appreciated in the winery when - at crush time - every minute won is a good thing for the team”.

Inoculated in white musts

The strain was selected in New Zealand by Auckland University and developed as a frozen, ready for direct inoculation product by Chr. Hansen. The product is inoculated in white musts after maceration before winemakers use their preferred commercial strain of Saccharomyces. This succession, called sequential inoculation of yeasts, follows the natural succession of wild yeasts when wines are going through a ‘wild ferment’ process.
Innovative range

Viniflora® FrootZen™ is part of a Chr. Hansen innovative range of non-Saccharomyces yeast products for winemaking together with Viniflora® Prelude™ (launched in 2009), a pure Torulaspora delbruecki ideal for barrel Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

Please visit www.chr-hansen/wine

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Chr. Hansen is a global bioscience company that develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. The products include cultures, enzymes, probiotics and natural colors, and all solutions are based on strong research and development competencies coupled with significant technology investments. Revenue in the 2013/14 financial year was EUR 756 million. The company holds a leading market position in all its divisions: Cultures & Enzymes, Health & Nutrition and Natural Colors. It has more than 2,500 dedicated employees in over 30 countries and main production facilities in Denmark, France, USA and Germany. Chr. Hansen was founded in 1874 and is listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen.

Contacts

Helle Rexen

Helle Rexen

Press contact Media relations officer +45 20 74 28 40

About us

Chr. Hansen is a global, differentiated bioscience company that develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. At Chr. Hansen we are uniquely positioned to drive positive change through microbial solutions. We have worked for over 150 years to enable sustainable agriculture, better food and healthier living for more people around the world. Our microbial and fermentation technology platforms, including our broad and relevant collection of around 50,000 microbial strains, have game-changing potential. Matching customer needs and global trends we continue to unlock the power of good bacteria to respond to global challenges such as food waste, global health and the overuse of antibiotics and pesticides. As one of the world’s most sustainable companies, we touch the lives of more than 1 billion people every day. Driven by our legacy of innovation and curiosity to pioneer science, our purpose – To grow a better world. Naturally. – is at the heart of everything we do.

Chr. Hansen Holding A/S

Boege Allé 10-12
DK-2970 Hoersholm
Denmark