Scott Laboratories announces the launch of FERMAID PERFORMENS M™, the newest nutrient in the FERMAID® family that wineries have relied on for more than four decades. Developed by Lallemand Oenology, PERFORMENS M™ is a first-of-its-kind yeast nutrient designed for challenging white, red, and rosé fermentations: high sugar musts, highly clarified juice, warm vintages, low oxygen fermentations, and other high-stress conditions for yeast. By delivering targeted nutritional support at critical stages of fermentation, it helps maintain yeast vitality and promotes consistent fermentation kinetics under challenging winemaking conditions.
PERFORMENS M™ is the latest innovation from Lallemand Oenology, whose research has produced some of the most widely adopted fermentation nutrition products in the industry, including FERMAID K™ (1985), GOFERM® (2002), and FERMAID O™ (2007). Like these other innovations, PERFORMENS M™ reflects a shift in how to address yeast nutrition.
For years, fermentation nutrition focused on only one piece of the picture: how much nitrogen (YAN) does the yeast need? But even well-supplemented fermentations can turn sluggish, stick, or finish with off-flavors and aromas. Lallemand Oenology ’s research increasingly points to specific lipids, vitamins, and minerals as essential factors for yeast nutrition.
As a result of this research, PERFORMENS M™ has a unique nutritional composition achieved by combining two complementary yeast autolysates. The first is derived from Metschnikowia pulcherrima, which is naturally rich in lipid droplets, polyunsaturated fatty acids, B-vitamins, and other micronutrients. It is paired with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae autolysate that contributes nitrogen, vitamins, and minerals. Together, they provide a broader and more complete nutritional profile than YAN correction alone, a new capability for the FERMAID® line and for fermentation nutrition as a whole.
Central to the product is the role lipids play in fermentation. Yeast relies on sterols and unsaturated fatty acids to build and maintain cell membranes, preserve viability, and tolerate rising alcohol concentrations. During the early stages of fermentation, yeast accumulates lipid droplets that serve as physiological reserves and are later mobilized when oxygen and nutrients become limited. Highly clarified musts can reduce the availability of grape-derived lipids, while warm vintages and other stressful conditions place additional demands on yeast metabolism. Rather than focusing solely on nitrogen supplementation, PERFORMENS M™ helps provide the broader nutritional support yeast need to build these reserves and remain active through the most demanding stages of fermentation.
“For years the conversation around fermentation nutrition centered almost entirely on YAN,” said Dr. David Ferreira, Yeast Nutrition R&D Manager for Lallemand Oenology. “What the research now makes clear is that lipids, vitamins, and minerals matter just as much, especially as climate variability creates more stressful conditions for yeast. FERMAID PERFORMENS M™ was developed to support yeast across the whole fermentation, not just correct a single number.”
“Healthy fermentation relies on healthy yeast,” said Dr. Nichola Hall, General Manager – Fermentation and Enology for Scott Laboratories. “FERMAID PERFORMENS M™ represents a new generation of yeast nutrition, focused not simply on supplying nitrogen but on helping yeast adapt, respond to stress, and hold their fermentation momentum especially when conditions become difficult.”
Alongside this launch, Scott Laboratories has released a new Fermentation Nutrition Planner, a tool that helps develop a complete fermentation plan based on fermentation conditions.
FERMAID PERFORMENS M™ is available now through Scott Laboratories at scottlab.com.