Botrytis

/boh-TRY-tis/
🍇Viticulture🍷Winemaking

Noble rot fungus that concentrates sugars for sweet wines.

Full Definition

Botrytis cinerea ('noble rot') is a beneficial fungus that dehydrates grapes, concentrating sugars and adding honey, apricot, and ginger flavors. Essential for Sauternes, Tokaji, and Trockenbeerenauslese. Requires specific conditions: morning fog, afternoon sun. Grey rot (same fungus in wrong conditions) destroys crops.

Related Terms

noble rotsauternestba

See Also

late harvestdessert wine
BordeauxBack to GlossaryBotrytized

More terms starting with B

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