Edelfäule is the German term for which phenomenon?

Edelfäule is the German term for which phenomenon?

• A. Noble rot
• B. Botrytis
• C. Powdery mildew
• D. Cork taint

Answer: (A)

Edelfäule is the term for noble rot—the desirable form of Botrytis cinerea infection on ripe grapes. This fungus dehydrates the berries, concentrating sugars, acids, and aroma compounds, which lets winemakers create intensely sweet, complex wines such as Sauternes or Beerenauslese. Botrytis is the fungus that can cause this effect, but the phenomenon described by the German word Edelfäule is specifically the noble rot. Powdery mildew is a different grape disease with a powdery coating, and cork taint is a musty aroma defect from cork.

Edelfäule is the term for noble rot—the desirable form of Botrytis cinerea infection on ripe grapes. This fungus dehydrates the berries, concentrating sugars, acids, and aroma compounds, which lets winemakers create intensely sweet, complex wines such as Sauternes or Beerenauslese. Botrytis is the fungus that can cause this effect, but the phenomenon described by the German word Edelfäule is specifically the noble rot. Powdery mildew is a different grape disease with a powdery coating, and cork taint is a musty aroma defect from cork.