What is malolactic fermentation?
What is malolactic fermentation? In very basic terms, malolactic fermentation (also known as MLF) is a process in which certain types of bacteria degrade the malic acid in wine into lactic acid and carbon dioxide gas. It is a very natural process that can occur spontaneously if the conditions are right - usually after yeast fermentation is complete. It can last from a few weeks to three or four months, depending on. ✱ the amount of malic acid available in the wine ✱ the conditions under which the fermentation takes place ✱ The power of culture On average, you can expect MLF to last 3 to 6 weeks if a domesticated culture is added to the wine. This spontaneous form of fermentation is largely limited to unpasteurized juices, as opposed to sulfite treated or pasteurized juices. The difference is that malolactic acid bacteria are not present in sterilized juice to multiply. There are thousands of different strains of lactobacillus malicus. Some of the...