Botrytis

The gray mold (Botrytis Cinerea), favored by certain temperature and humidity, can attack the skins of the vines. Botrytis can be considered a dangerous enemy, but sometimes also a not entirely unwelcome guest among some winemakers.

Botrytis has historically often proved to be a particularly cruel killer of young vines. The fungus compresses the skin of the berry, promotes water loss, engages in metabolism with the juice, while concentrating sugar and acid. When attacking almost ripe white grapes in autumn, on the other hand, it is more often referred to as 'noble rot', as it can sometimes enable particularly high-quality sweet wines later on (Trockenbeeren-Auslesen). In dry white wines, on the other hand, botrytis is not a friend. In red wines, it is hated by winemakers.

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