Mangrove Jacks AW4 - White & Rosé Wine Yeast

Best Yeast for Aromatic White & Rosé Wines

Mangrove Jack’s AW4 is a highly aromatic wine yeast ideal for varietals that rely on bold floral and spice character.

Designed for white and rosé wines, AW4 enhances the natural aromatics of your grapes by producing fragrant ester compounds during fermentation — perfect for expressive styles like Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.

This strain is a solid choice when your grape must needs more aromatic lift or when you want to showcase intense, perfume-driven character.

It’s especially good in wines that benefit from spice, florals, and pronounced varietal identity.

What Is AW4 Best For?

Use AW4 for aromatic white and rosé wines where you want high ester expression and lifted aromatics. Excellent with:

• Gewurztraminer – Intensifies floral/spice notes
• Riesling – Boosts citrus, floral and stone fruit
• Sauvignon Blanc – Adds tropical and grassy complexity
• Rosé styles – Clean ferment with bright aromatics
• Semillon & blends – Complements more subtle base wines

AW4 Yeast Characteristics

• Strain: Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Alcohol Tolerance: Up to 14%
• Recommended Temp: 16–24°C
• Flocculation: Medium
• Dosage: One sachet treats up to 25 litres
• Profile: Aromatic, floral, spice-driven, varietal-enhancing

How to Use Mangrove Jack’s AW4

Quick Method: Simply sprinkle AW4 directly into your must or juice and stir gently. No rehydration needed.

Advanced Method (Optional Yeast Starter):

• Combine sachet contents with 50ml of warm water (~20°C) and 1/2 tsp sugar
• Let stand covered for 15–20 minutes
• Stir your must to oxygenate just before pitching
• Pour in the yeast starter and mix gently

Substitute Yeasts

If AW4 isn’t available, these alternatives offer similar aromatic impact:

• Lalvin K1-V1116 – Highly aromatic, good ester production, works well in whites and fruit wines
• Gervin GV1 – Reliable, clean fermentation across most white wine styles

FAQs – AW4 Yeast in a Nutshell

Is AW4 better for white or rosé wines?
Both. It’s especially good when you want to boost aromatic expression in lighter, fragrant styles. Perfect for varietal-driven whites and fresh rosés.

Does AW4 produce floral and spice notes?
Yes — that's its strength. It encourages esters that add floral lift, tropical notes, and subtle spice without masking the grape's core character.

Can I use AW4 for dry wines?
Absolutely. AW4 ferments clean and dry while still adding aromatic impact. Just keep fermentation temps in the sweet spot (16–24°C) for best results.