Botrytized wine

Botrytized wine is a special type of wine made from grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), also known as "noble mold" or "botrytis." This process, also called "botrytization," has a fundamental impact on the character and quality of the resulting wine.

Botrytization process

Botrytis cinerea is a mold that, under certain conditions, attacks ripe grapes. These conditions include primarily humid and misty mornings followed by dry and sunny afternoons. The mold causes the grapes to lose water through micro-cracks in the berries, concentrating the sugars, acids, and aromas in the remaining juice. This process is very delicate and requires careful control of conditions in the vineyard.

Characteristics of botrytized wine

Botrytized wine is characterized by several unique properties:

- High sugar content: The loss of water in the grapes leads to a significant increase in sugar concentration, giving the wine sweetness and fullness.
- Intense aroma: Botrytized wine has a complex and rich aroma that can include notes of honey, dried fruits, raisins, apricots, citrus, and flowers.
- Balanced acidity: Despite the high sugar content, botrytized wine retains refreshing acidity, balancing sweetness and adding structure and depth to the wine.
- Golden color: Botrytized wine often has a beautiful golden to amber color, resulting from juice concentration and the presence of botrytis mold.
One of the best botrytized wines in the world comes from Sauternes in Bordeaux.