RJ Spagnols Rosso Grande Eccellente kit

[Huba Huba]

Recently purchased this kit and plan on starting is soon. The included yeast is EC1118. I would like to use a more appropriate/different yeast and was thinking about substituting BM4x4 for the EC1118. I am aware that it will be more nutrient sensitive.
Any other yeast suggestions? I have Fermaid O, but don't know how much I should add and when (initially and at 48 hours or 1/3 every 24 hours after fermentation starts)? The MeadMadeRight TOSNA calculator suggest 38 gm, but that is for mead, a very nutrient deficient must. Would half that (19gm) be too much.
I also have RC212 and D254 which should also work and be less nutrient sensitive.
On the other hand, the kit has good reviews when made as directed.

 

[winemaker81]

Any of those yeast will produce a good result, although I'd lean towards D254 in this situation. Why? I read the descriptions of all 3 strains and like that one the best in this situation. To be fair, if I did this again tomorrow, I might make a different choice. There is no wrong choice.

EC-1118 is a low nutrient yeast, so IMO any kit that includes EC-1118 should have more nutrient if a medium or high nutrient yeast is substituted, unless the yeast is non-H2S producing. Even then, I'd add some nutrient as the yeast will thrive better.

How much nutrient? For a medium nutrient yeast, 1/4 of the package dosage at inoculation, and another 1/4 after 48 hours. For a high nutrient yeast, 1/2 at inoculation and again after 48 hours.

I've never had a problem with overdosing a batch with nutrient. I don't know if that's because problems from overdosing are less prevalent than literature makes it appear, or if I've just been lucky.

 

[Huba Huba]

Thank you. After doing more research I think D254 might be best