Under the wrong conditions it can ruin a grape crop. Under the right conditions it can create complex, flavorful wines. Botrytis, however, is a fickle task master. The degree of botrytis in the grapes can be an important factor of vintage variation from a producer. Under the right conditions, typically an environment that has a high degree of moisture in the mornings followed by dry sunny afternoons, the botrytis mold can both accelerate the desiccation of the grapes while adding additional aromas and flavors as a result of the mold’s own metabolic processes.įully botrytized wine, like Sauterne, are rare in Sicily but botrytis is often found in a portion of the grapes that have been either sundried or picked as late harvest. Sicily produces both kinds.Īdditionally, there is the role of botrytis or noble rot. While they share some common flavors and aromas, wines from raisinated grapes are different from wines made from late harvest grapes. Those grapes are left on the vine to over ripen and then partially desiccate before they are picked and crushed. By remaining suspended on their canes, these grapes had the benefit of additional air flow, which helped inhibit molds.Īppassimento is different from late harvest grapes. This is an ancient Roman technique that was favored in cooler climates where grapes left on the ground to dry would otherwise rot. Grapes are turned every few days to inhibit molds from forming.Īnother technique is to leave the grapes on the vine but to cut the canes. These wines were historically referred to as straw wines. One method of drying grapes is to place them on straw mats after harvesting to dry under the influence of sun and wind. It also increases levels of glycerin, which imparts smoothness and palate weight to the wine, and also increases acidity. The partial drying of the grapes concentrates the sugars. This is a process of partially drying or “raisinating” the wine grapes before they are crushed and fermented. There are several different ways of producing sweet wines. Close up Red grape dried on the vine getty
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