Vendange tardive is a French term that translates to « late harvest

Vendange tardive is a French term that translates to « late harvest. » It refers to a winemaking technique where grapes are left on the vine longer than usual in order to achieve a higher sugar content and concentration of flavors.

The term is often associated with the production of sweet or dessert wines, such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer, where the grapes are affected by botrytis cinerea (a fungus) which causes the grapes to shrivel and concentrate their sugars.

Vendange tardive wines are generally sweeter and richer in flavors compared to wines made from grapes harvested earlier. They can exhibit notes of honey, apricot, peach, and tropical fruits. These wines are typically produced in cooler climates where the grapes are allowed to hang on the vine until late in the harvest season.