Botrytized

(viticulture) – grapes attacked by noble rot. Botrytis cinerea, popularly called grey rot, is produced by a phytoparasitic fungus, which carries out its biological cycle on all plant organs, but destructively attacks grapes from the moment they enter the veraison (beginning of ripening), if it finds favourable germination conditions (temperature and humidity). If autumn is long and rainless, the fungus develops resistance organs (conidia) and the conidial form Botryotinia fuckeliana ppears, causing noble rot, which consumes water from the grapes, dehydrating them and concentrating sugars and flavours in the raisined berries. These are responsible for the wine with the traditional C.I.B. mention (at Cotnari, on Tarnave, in Dobrogea or at Minis, in favourable years, wines can be obtained that rival those of Tokaj).