🍷 Vendanges tardives
An Alsace late-harvest wine from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat.
Vendanges tardives is the Alsace late-harvest wine. The name in French means late harvest. Grapes are left on the vine longer than usual so that the berries become very ripe and sweet. Four varieties are allowed for this wine: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat.
A late harvest gives more sugar in the berries while some of the water evaporates. Some berries may be touched by noble rot, which concentrates the sweetness. Alsace rules require a minimum sugar content in the juice, higher than for ordinary wine. The wine is therefore denser, more aromatic and often off-dry or sweet, though it can feel almost dry on the palate. Aromas are fruity and honeyed.
Vendanges tardives is tied to late harvest and to sélection de grains nobles, an even sweeter Alsace wine from selected berries. It belongs to French wine, and the Gewurztraminer grape gives especially aromatic examples. It is served chilled, with pâté, blue cheeses and desserts.
Links
- Part of
- 🍷 Late harvest wine
- Related to
- 🗺️ French wine, 🍇 Gewürztraminer
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Late harvest wine, 🍷 Sélection de grains nobles, 📍 Alsace
Frequently asked questions
What is vendanges tardives?
Alsace late-harvest wine from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat.
How is it different from ordinary wine?
The grapes are picked later, so the berries are sweeter and the wine denser and more aromatic.
Which wine is even sweeter?
Sélection de grains nobles, from selected berries.
Similar
🍷 Sélection de grains nobles · 🍷 Passerillage · 🍷 Pupitre · 🍷 Liqueur d'expédition · 🍷 Cryoextraction · 🍷 Tirage