Facts, myths and legends on the prime industrial microorganism

Abstract
Archaic speculations and firmly established legends regarding the origin of the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae and related species are revisited in light of past and recent ecological evidence pointing to a strict association with artificial, man-made environments such as wineries and fermentation plants. The nomenclature within this industrially important group is also discussed in view of the modifications imposed from application of molecular techniques to classification.