What is botrytis cinerea?

What is botrytis cinerea?

• A. A type of yeast
• B. AKA "Noble rot", a mold used in dessert wines
• C. A bacteria
• D. A chemical preservative

Answer: (B)

Botrytis cinerea is a mold fungus. When it infects grapes under the right humid, misty conditions, it can produce “Noble rot,” a favorable form that concentrates sugars and flavors to create rich dessert wines. It is not a yeast (which ferments sugar) or bacteria, and it isn’t a chemical preservative. The term noble rot specifically refers to this beneficial fungus in winemaking, as opposed to the harmful gray rot that can occur in less ideal conditions.

Botrytis cinerea is a mold fungus. When it infects grapes under the right humid, misty conditions, it can produce “Noble rot,” a favorable form that concentrates sugars and flavors to create rich dessert wines. It is not a yeast (which ferments sugar) or bacteria, and it isn’t a chemical preservative. The term noble rot specifically refers to this beneficial fungus in winemaking, as opposed to the harmful gray rot that can occur in less ideal conditions.