noble rot

American  

noun

Winemaking.

1. the fungus Botrytis cinerea, which is cultivated in some winemaking processes, especially in the making of French Sauternes, where the ripened grapes become shriveled as a result of its introduction, thereby concentrating the juice and increasing the sugar content.

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noble rot British  

noun

1. winemaking a condition in which grapes are deliberately affected by Botrytis cinerea, resulting in the shrivelling of the ripened grapes, which in turn leads to an increased sugar content

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Etymology

Origin of noble rot

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Tokaji is not the only Botryized wine in the world; wines affected by noble rot also are produced in France, Germany, Romania, and even California and Australia.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 23, 2023

The lion’s share of Tokaji is made with Furmint grapes, on which the noble rot is encouraged to grow.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 23, 2023

Other ways of making sweet wine include air-drying grapes, as in Amarone; harvesting grapes shriveled by botrytis cinerea, the noble rot, as in Sauternes; or fortifying, adding neutral spirits to stop fermentation, as in port.

From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2019

The Tokaj region produces one of a handful of wines around the world made with fruit affected by "noble rot", induced by the "Botrytis" fungus that shrivels grapes and concentrates their sugar.

From Reuters • Jul. 22, 2016

This Edelfdule, or "noble rot," draws off moisture from the grapes, leaving a fine sweetness.

From Time Magazine Archive