Taxonomy molds

Section I, Grape and Wine Microorganisms, describes those microorganisms found in grape must, juice, and wines namely yeasts, lactic and acetic acid bacteria, and molds. Here, taxonomy, metabolism, nutritional requirements, and potential impacts on wine quality are areas of focus. 

The distinction between saprophytic, commensal, mutualistic, and parasitic interactions is not always clear. For instance, the distinction between sooty molds and black mildews is based in part on taxonomy, the latter group consisting primarily of members of the Meliolaceae and the former of a variety of pleomorphic dematiaceous hyphomycetes. The other major distinction is the saprophytic nature of the sooty molds and the parasitic life style of the black mildews however, there is very limited evidence of deleterious effects of black mildews on their host plants (Parbery Brown 1986), and the distinction between this group and, e.g., endophytes, or between endophytes that transition into parasitic forms, is blurred. Fortunately, many bioassays developed for one type of interaction can be adapted for use in other systems. 

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