The various stages of “noble rot”

13 September 2011 Vineyard

As you may have already read here (Article : “The Noble Rot”), Botrytis cinerea is the name of a microscopic fungus that slowly transforms grapes, inducing the natural concentration of sugar and aromas. Botrytis develops in several stages not only according to vineyard plot, but also varies within individual bunches.

Here are a few photos to illustrate its development. These were taken last week.

1/ Beginning of concentration

2/ “Half-moon” attack

3/ Further concentration