Noble Rot

/NOH-bul ROT/
🍇Viticulture🍷Winemaking

Beneficial fungus (Botrytis cinerea) for sweet wines.

Full Definition

Noble rot is the beneficial form of Botrytis cinerea that concentrates grape sugars by dehydrating berries while adding distinctive honey, apricot, and marmalade flavors. It requires specific conditions: morning humidity (fog), afternoon dryness. Essential for Sauternes, Tokaji Aszu, and German TBA/BA wines.

Related Terms

botrytissauternestokaji

See Also

dessert winelate harvest
New WorldBack to GlossaryNon-Vintage

More terms starting with N

Natural Wine

Wine made with minimal intervention and additives.

Negociant

A merchant who buys grapes or wine to blend and sell.

New Oak

Barrels being used for the first time.

New World

Wine regions outside traditional European areas.

Nose

The overall aromatic character of wine.

Native Yeast

Wild yeast found naturally in vineyard or winery.