The king of all grape fungi that helps in creating wines fit for nobility.
When it comes to wine, fungal infection isn't usually something that's celebrated. But in the case of noble rot, also known as Botrytis cinerea, it's a different story. Noble rot is a type of fungal infection that can actually improve the quality and flavor of certain wines.
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What Is Noble Rot?
Noble rot is a type of fungal infection that affects grapes. It's caused by a fungus called Botrytis cinerea. The fungus can only infect grapes under very specific conditions, which include cool and humid mornings followed by warm and dry afternoons. These conditions are common in certain wine regions, such as the Sauternes region of France, where noble rot is highly prized.
How Is Noble Rot Used In Winemaking?
Winemakers use noble rot to create a specific style of wine known as a botrytized wine. These wines are known for their intense sweetness and complex flavor profile. To make botrytized wine, winemakers leave the grapes on the vine for an extended period, allowing the noble rot to take hold.
The grapes are then carefully hand-picked and sorted, removing any grapes that are not affected by the noble rot. This is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, but it's necessary to ensure the quality of the final product.
Once the grapes are sorted, they're gently pressed to extract the juice. The juice is then fermented in oak barrels, allowing the flavors and aromas to develop over time. The resulting wine is sweet, with flavors of honey.
What Wines Are Made With Noble Rot?
The most famous wines made with noble rot are Sauternes and Barsac from the Bordeaux region of France. These wines are made with a blend of grapes, including Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. The grapes are left on the vine until they are infected with noble rot, then carefully harvested by hand. The resulting wine is highly sweet, with notes of honey, apricot, and citrus.
Other regions that produce wines with noble rot include Tokaji in Hungary, where the wine is made with Furmint grapes, and the Rheingau region of Germany, where the wine is made with Riesling grapes. These wines are also highly prized and sought after by wine collectors.
Is Noble Rot Safe To Consume?
While the idea of drinking wine made from infected grapes might sound unappetizing, noble rot is perfectly safe to consume. The fungus is carefully controlled during the winemaking process, and any harmful bacteria or toxins are eliminated through fermentation and aging.
In fact, noble rot wines are highly regarded for their complexity and depth of flavor. The process of noble rot infection is a natural occurrence that has been used to make some of the world's most sought-after wines for centuries.
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