NATSTEP™, a yeast protection concept, developed by Lallemand in partnership with the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA - Montpellier) received the Bronze Award at the Vinitech trade fair in Bordeaux. This trophy is awarded by European scientific and technical experts, and reflects new tendencies, innovations and improvements in the viticultural industry.

Respecting the quality of the wine, the new NATSTEP™ procedure (« NATural STErol Protection ») protects oenological yeasts during rehydration, thanks to its optimal specific micronutrient content, including vitamins and minerals, and to its bioavailable microprotectants (specific sterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFA). These substances, which are entirely natural and available to yeasts during the rehydration phase, favour the reactivation of their metabolism, while reinforcing the cell membrane. Consequently, this protection improves the yeast’s tolerance to alcohol, enabling the fermentation to be fully completed, at the same time limiting organoleptic deviations.

Since its introduction onto the market, rehydration products derived from the Natstep™ procedure have demonstrated a high yeast protection capacity, (especially in difficult vinification conditions: high degree of alcohol, low nitrogen levels etc.) following worldwide trials and in genuine vinification conditions. The product GO-FERM PROTECT™, directly derived from the Natstep™procedure, has been on the market in France since 2006.

The Natstep™ procedure is currently the object of a patent application.