Pure-Lees Elegancy – Lallemand Yeast Derivative for Polished Red Wine Structure
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Softens aggressive, bitter, or green tannins while preserving structure
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Builds midpalate weight and extends finish without masking fruit
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Delivers fast sensory results, often within 48 hours
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Enhances colloidal stability to support clarity and filterability
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Similar to Pure-Lees Delicacy, but more effective with higher-tannin wines due to greater insoluble content
Pure-Lees Elegancy is a targeted inactivated yeast product designed to bring refinement and balance to structured red wines. Like Pure-Lees Delicacy, it is produced using Lallemand’s High Pressure Homogenization (HPH) process, which maximizes the availability of active yeast components. However, Elegancy contains a greater proportion of insoluble yeast fragments, making it particularly effective for high-tannin varieties where a more assertive softening action is needed. It reduces bitterness and rough textures while enhancing wine length, roundness, and polish—all without impacting fruit expression or color. Winemakers looking to replicate the effects of long-term lees aging in a shorter timeframe will find Pure-Lees Elegancy especially valuable during post-fermentation refinement.
Protocol
Suspend Pure-Lees Elegancy in ten times its weight of clean wine or water at 15–25 °C. Stir gently until fully dispersed. Add at the end of alcoholic fermentation or early in storage. Mix thoroughly to ensure uniform distribution. Allow at least 2 days of contact; for greater effect, maintain contact for up to several weeks before racking.
Usage Rates
Recommended dosage: 20–40 grams per hectoliter
= 0.2–0.4 grams per liter
= 0.76–1.5 grams per gallon
A typical rate of 30 g/hL (0.3 g/L or 1.14 g/gal) provides noticeable softening and mouthfeel enhancement in medium to full-bodied reds.