Vendange Tardive is a French term meaning “late harvest” and a regulated wine designation used in Alsace. It identifies wines made from very ripe grapes harvested later than the normal picking period. The designation is permitted for specified grape varieties, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat, and requires minimum grape-must ripeness levels under the Alsace appellation rules.
Vendange Tardive wines may be made from grapes that have reached high natural sugar levels through extended ripening, and in suitable vintages may include berries affected by noble rot. The grapes are harvested selectively and fermented according to the producer’s style. The designation does not mean that every wine will have exactly the same residual sugar or sweetness.
Typical flavours include ripe peach, apricot, mango, honey, citrus peel, spice and floral notes. Gewürztraminer may show lychee and rose, while Riesling can retain pronounced acidity alongside concentrated fruit. Pinot Gris often produces a rich, textured style.
Vendange Tardive (VT) identifies late-harvest wines from very ripe grapes. Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) requires individually selected berries, often concentrated by noble rot, and has stricter minimum ripeness requirements. SGN wines are generally more concentrated and sweeter, although the final style depends on fermentation and producer choices.
Alsace VT can pair with foie gras, Munster cheese, fruit desserts, spiced poultry and dishes with aromatic herbs. Match the wine’s actual sweetness and acidity to the dish.
Example: serve Vendange Tardive Gewürztraminer with foie gras or Munster cheese, or pair a Riesling VT with fruit tart.
Chef’s note: Vendange Tardive is a regulated Alsace designation, not a generic label for every late-harvest wine. Check the grape, producer and sweetness before pairing.
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