Why Rotting Grapes Make Some of the World's Most Expensive Wines

About this episode

Did you know some of the world's most sought-after wines are made with mold? In this episode of Fishwives of Paris, Emily Monaco and Caroline Fazeli explore the fascinating world of Botrytis cinerea, the fungus known as "noble rot." While this mold can devastate vineyards when conditions are wrong, under the right circumstances it transforms grapes into some of the world's most celebrated sweet wines. Join us as we uncover the science behind noble rot, the centuries-old legends surrounding its discovery, and the unique conditions required to produce wines like Sauternes, Tokaji, and noble rot Rieslings. Along the way, we'll discuss the challenges of harvesting these wines, the flavors that make them so distinctive, and why bottles from producers like Château d'Yquem command such extraordinary prices. From Bordeaux to Hungary, from fungal genetics to food pairings, this episode reveals how one of nature's most destructive forces became one of winemaking's greatest gifts. Wines DiscussedSauternes (Bordeaux, France)The most famous French wine made with noble rot. Produced in Bordeaux's Sauternes region, where morning fog and afternoon sunshine create ideal conditions for B