At Bodegas Lustau, innovation and tradition go hand in hand. In a new effort to preserve the essence of Jerez wines, Lustau is leading an ambitious R&D project in collaboration with the Microbiology Department of the University of Cádiz, led by Dr. Gustavo Cordero-Bueso, and the start-up GC Genomics.
This initiative, supported by the Regional Government of Andalusia with one of the highest scores in the Activa Startups program, aims to understand and protect one of the most distinctive elements of these wines: the veil of flor.
The veil of Flor: The Soul of Finos and Manzanillas
The veil of Flor is a layer of yeast that forms on the surface of biologically aged wine inside Sherry casks. This microorganism not only protects the wine from oxidation but also contributes unique aromas and flavors essential to the identity of Finos and Manzanillas. However, climate change is threatening its stability, potentially affecting the quality and continuity of these emblematic wines.
An Innovative Project to Understand and Protect Flor Yeast
In response to this challenge, Lustau, in collaboration with the University of Cádiz and GC Genomics, has conducted an extensive study to identify and genetically characterize the yeasts present in its soleras. Over 16,000 yeast colonies have been analyzed, identifying 11 distinct biotypes, each with unique genetic characteristics that influence flor yeast formation and stability, ensuring its role in the biological aging of Jerez wines.
Thanks to GC Genomics’ technology, a “Flor Yeast Genetic Panel” has been developed— a tool that enables massive and scalable yeast identification, significantly reducing costs and time in analyses.
Study Objectives and Benefits
The project aims not only to identify and conserve flor yeast biodiversity but also to study its resistance to changing environmental conditions. To ensure the preservation of flor yeast and its adaptation to new climate challenges, the study has focused on several key objectives, including:
• Genome sequencing of 11 flor yeast strains to understand their genetic diversity.
• Characterization of genetic variability among these strains and their relationship with other species.
• Design of a genetic panel to rapidly identify new yeast varieties and assess their adaptability to temperature changes.
With this knowledge, in the future, it will be possible to select the most heat-resistant strains, ensuring the continuity of flor yeast and, consequently, the quality of biologically aged wines.
A Commitment to the Future of Jerez Wines
This project positions Lustau as a pioneer in applying genomics to winemaking in the Sherry region, marking a milestone in the wine industry. Through this research, Lustau not only strengthens its commitment to innovation but also opens new possibilities for enhancing biological aging, ensuring the quality and authenticity of its wines in the face of climate change.
“It is evident that rising temperatures and the extension of the summer season affect the normal development of yeasts. With these studies, we may uncover the genetic causes behind the declining efficiency of flor yeast under new climatic conditions and predict which yeast strains could withstand harsher environments,” states Lustau’s winemaker.
This advancement will not only contribute to preserving Andalusia’s winemaking tradition but also pave the way for new research into yeast adaptation to extreme environments.
The study’s conclusions will be unveiled later this year, but there is no doubt that Lustau has taken a firm step toward the future of Jerez wines, combining centuries of mastery with cutting-edge science. This research not only reinforces the resilience of biological aging in the face of climate change but also lays the foundation for new conservation and yeast improvement strategies, ensuring the sustainability of a centuries-old tradition.
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Bodegas Lustau expresses its gratitude to the Regional Government of Andalusia for the financial support provided for the development of this innovative research project in collaboration with the University of Cádiz and GC Genomics. Likewise, we hope that the knowledge gained from this study will serve as a foundation for future initiatives in collaboration with the Regulatory Council of the “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry” and “Manzanilla – Sanlúcar de Barrameda” Designations of Origin, aiming to tackle challenges in preserving flor yeast, a key element in the production of our wines.
