Vendanges Tardives.

Late Harvest dates back to the Middle Ages. Around this time, Alsatian winegrowers began to see the benefits of letting the grapes ripen longer on the vine before harvesting. The Alsatian climate, with its hot summers and sunny autumns, has favoured this practice, allowing the grapes to reach exceptional ripeness.

Over the centuries, the technique of late harvesting has been refined, and winemakers have realised that grapes that reach a state of over-ripeness can produce wines of extraordinary quality and complexity. However, this method required particular care and considerable patience, as the winemakers had to wait for the noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) to develop on the grapes. This rot, also known as “noble rot”, concentrates the sugars and intensifies the aromas, contributing to the richness of the late harvest.

The “Vendanges Tardives” appellation was officially recognised in Alsace in 1984. It is awarded to wines made from hand-picked grapes affected by noble rot and with a specific sugar concentration. The grape varieties most commonly associated with this appellation are Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Muscat.