cropthreash


Handmade wines since 1983.

 

 

 

2011 RIESLING DESSERT WINE (Botrytis)

KICK ON RANCH
Los Alamos Valley, Santa Barbara County

Botrytis is a mold that grows on grapes and is not that common in California. Usually when it appears it's called bunch rot, because secondary infections of bacteria and less desirable molds get in there and turn the clusters into a vinegary mess. Rarely, when the right conditions prevail the botrytis grows and then weather conditions get dry and the botrytis, having poked tiny holes in the berries, causes them to raisin. As the berries raisin the sugars and acidity concentrate--when this happens in Europe it's called the noble rot and is responsible for some of the finest dessert wines made.