Noble Rot
Noble Rot (also known as Botrytis cinerea) is a special type of beneficial mold that affects wine grapes. Unlike harmful molds, this particular type is highly valued in winemaking because it creates some of the world's most prestigious and expensive sweet wines. When wine professionals mention Noble Rot on their resume, they're referring to their experience with making or working with these specialized wines. These wines are often called "botrytized wines" or "noble rot wines" and are particularly famous in regions like Sauternes (France) and Tokaji (Hungary).
Examples in Resumes
Managed production of 5,000 cases of Noble Rot affected wines
Supervised grape selection process for Botrytis infected fruit
Developed specialized harvesting schedules for Noble Rot grapes
Typical job title: "Winemakers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Winemakers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Industry Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage the timing and logistics of harvesting Noble Rot affected grapes?
Expected Answer: A senior winemaker should explain the careful balance of waiting for proper Noble Rot development while avoiding harmful rot, multiple harvest passes through vineyards, and organizing specialized picking teams.
Q: What factors do you consider when pricing Noble Rot wines?
Expected Answer: Should discuss production costs, yield reduction, market positioning, aging requirements, and competitive analysis of similar wines in the market.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you identify proper Noble Rot development versus harmful rot?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain visual cues of healthy Noble Rot, proper moisture and temperature conditions, and methods to prevent unwanted rot types.
Q: What are the key processing steps for Noble Rot affected grapes?
Expected Answer: Should describe gentle pressing techniques, juice handling, fermentation management, and quality control measures specific to botrytized grapes.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is Noble Rot and why is it important in winemaking?
Expected Answer: Should explain that Noble Rot is a beneficial mold that concentrates grape sugars and adds complexity to wines, with basic understanding of famous Noble Rot wine styles.
Q: What are the basic conditions needed for Noble Rot development?
Expected Answer: Should mention the need for specific humidity levels, temperature ranges, and grape varieties that are suitable for Noble Rot development.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of Noble Rot wine styles
- Grape sorting and selection
- Basic wine chemistry knowledge
- Cleaning and sanitation procedures
Mid (2-5 years)
- Noble Rot harvest timing management
- Fermentation monitoring
- Quality control procedures
- Production planning
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced Noble Rot wine production
- Team management and training
- Wine style development
- Production cost optimization
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic wine chemistry
- Lack of experience with specialized harvesting techniques
- Poor knowledge of sanitation and cleaning procedures
- No familiarity with famous Noble Rot wine styles
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