Wine Fault
Film Yeast
Additional
Film yeast forms a surface pellicle on wine in tanks or barrels, causing oxidative spoilage with acetic, ethyl acetate, and Sherry-like notes outside intentional flor aging. It indicates unprotected wine exposed to oxygen.
Also known as: Surface yeast, Flor spoilage, Candida film
Typical severity: High
Cause
Aerobic yeasts (Candida, Pichia, and related film-formers) growing on wine surfaces exposed to oxygen.
How it occurs
Untopped barrels, open tanks, and ullaged vessels allow film yeast to colonize the surface. Unlike intentional Sherry flor, uncontrolled films drive random oxidation and VA elevation.
Prevention
Regular topping, inert gas blanketing, full vessels, SO₂ maintenance, and sanitation of cellar equipment.
Descriptors created
Descriptors reduced
Commonly confused with
- Acetaldehyde Wine Fault
- Acetobacter Wine Fault
- Solera System Winemaking Technique
Common wine styles
Common grape varieties
Common regions
Related winemaking techniques
Serving implications
Beginner explanation
A fuzzy film on wine in an open barrel is not romantic — it's spoilage unless you're making Sherry under controlled flor.
FAQ
- Is film yeast the same as Sherry flor?
- Sherry flor is a controlled Saccharomyces film. Spoilage film yeasts are uncontrolled and produce fault characters.
- Can wine under film yeast be saved?
- Often not — oxidative and acetic damage usually requires discarding or heavy remediation below premium quality.
Related ontology entities
- Sherry Wine Style
- Port Wine Style
- Madeira Wine Style
- Jerez Wine Region
- Douro Wine Region
- Madeira Wine Region
- Oxidized Descriptor
- Nutty Descriptor
- Sour Descriptor
- Chardonnay Grape Variety
- Solera System Winemaking Technique
- Fortification Winemaking Technique
- Barrel Aging Winemaking Technique
- Acetaldehyde Wine Fault
- Acetobacter Wine Fault
- Drink Now Serving