Vendanges Tardives

These grapes are generally gathered several weeks after the official start of the grape harvest when they are overripe and have the famous noble rot.

A sumptuous gift of nature

The Vendanges Tardives, or late harvest wines, come from the varietals referred to as “noble”: Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Muscat. These grapes are generally gathered several weeks after the official start of the grape harvest, when they are overripe and have the famous noble rot, and conditions for each varietal are at their best.

Exacting rules to follow

Produced according to the strictest criteria among the French AOCs, the Vendanges Tardives have to follow exacting rules: limited varietals, manual harvests, naturally rich in high sugar content that is checked by a representative of INAO two times (when the grapes arrive at the press and again after pressing), additional sugar forbidden, required mention of the varietal and the vintage on the label, 18 months of waiting before being accorded the name Vendange Tardive, analytical tests and obligatory taste and smell tests…The grapes with the noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) offer concentrated aromas and are considerably rich in sugar (about 250 g/l depending on the varietal), which allows us to make liqueur-like wines called “vendanges tardives.”

Our Vendanges Tardives come in three varietals: RIESLING, PINOT GRIS and GEWURZTRAMINER.