Why is testing for L-Lactic Acid important in winemaking?
Lactic acid is an organic acid that is a principle acid in wine. In the wine industry, the course of malolactic fermentation is monitored by tracking the falling level of L-malic acid, and the increasing level of L-Lactic acid. Lactic acid is responsible for reducing the acidity of wines, providing a smoother flavour.
It is not always easy to determine if the appearance of bubbles following primary fermentation is the onset of actual MLF or merely a wine “outgassing” as it warms. Knowing whether malolactic fermentation has started allows the detection of problems when they are small and require less extensive and expensive intervention. Grapes naturally contain no L-Lactic Acid. A small amount can be produced by some yeasts. An L-Lactic Acid level above 40 mg/L is considered a confirmation that malolactic fermentation has begun.
Randox Food Diagnostics offer multiple tests for wine analysis including L-Lactic acid on both the RX misano and the RX monaco.
| Method | No. of Tests | Catalogue No. | Sensitivity | Linearity |
| Manual | 40 | LC2653 | N/A | N/A |
| RX misano | 80 | LC2653 | 0.045 g/l | 0.47 g/l |
| RX monaco | 104 | LC8344 | 0.06 g/l | 0.40 g/l |
For more information please contact us at: info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com