Rot in fruit is the phrase no winemaker ever wants to hear. For the 2026 vintage, however, it has become our immediate reality. But, if fires and smoke taint weren’t enough to test us, we must now continue rolling with the punches. While rain is generally welcomed in the vineyard, its timing this year is far from ideal. Parts of the Overstrand received nearly 150 mm of rainfall, which is simply unprecedented for February. Furthermore, this deluge hit right in the middle of our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir harvests.
Grapes approaching harvest have increasingly delicate skins and under these warm, wet conditions, fungal infections can develop with alarming speed. However, as a solutions-driven business, we pride ourselves on providing clear information to mitigate your risk. You need a proactive approach to limiting the damage caused by the aggressive laccase enzyme.
The Primary Antagonist
When dealing with rot in fruit, hope is never a viable cellar strategy. We must discuss the technical chemistry of damage control. The primary antagonist here is the laccase enzyme. Left unchecked, it strips the soul from your wine through rapid oxidation. And this is especially true for delicate varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Our strategy centers on a sacrificial defence using two core tools.
Tools to Use to Combat Rot in Fruit
Vinitannin Supreme serves as your first line of defence. Add it as early as possible, ideally at the crusher. It provides the laccase with a sacrificial target to attack. This protects your natural grape phenols and precious color. Meanwhile, Clear Up Bio acts as a specialised adsorbent. It cleans up unwanted fungal metabolites and off-flavours. This ensures a cleaner fermentation environment, even under high-pressure conditions.
In 2026, the standard winemaking recipe goes out the window, because no two blocks react to 150 mm of rain in the same way. These tools provide a robust baseline for managing rot in fruit. However, we must remain clinical in our daily assessments. Evaluate the use of tannins like Multi Extra on a case-by-case basis while always judging the color degradation and infection severity with a winemaker’s eye.
We are dealing with delicate skins and truly unprecedented conditions. The goal is to mitigate risk without losing the unique vintage character. Stay proactive and technical as the weather turns. Get the fruit in and keep it clean. Navigate the 2026 harvest with the precision it deserves.
Contact sales@fermtech.co.za to set up a consultation or click here to book an appointment online. FermTech Solutions are proud to be associated with 2B FermControl, Orion Cooperage, Speidel, Tinajas Moreno Leon, Biorself and DNA Smart Analysis.
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