What makes some wine yeast strains produce off-putting sulphur smells during fermentation? In this episode, we get the opportunity to learn directly from FEMS Yeast Research Article Award winners, Irene De Guidi & Jean-Luc Legras (both at INRAE, Montpellier, France)Their winning paper reveals surprising genetic insights into hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) production during alchohol fermentation in S. cerevisiae. Using QTL mapping, the team uncovered novel genes linked to redox balance and zinc homeostasis—processes not previously tied to sulfur metabolism. Their findings open new doors for controlling wine aroma and improving fermentation outcomes. Whether you're into microbiology, genetics, or winemaking, this conversation uncorks something fresh.

Read the award winning paper: QTL mapping reveals novel genes and mechanisms underlying variations in H2S production during alcoholic fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Discover all the ⁠⁠⁠⁠FEMS Journals Article Awards from 202⁠4⁠.