Late Harvest Wines
Late Harvest Wines: The Sweet & Luscious Treats
Late harvest wines are made from grapes that are harvested later than usual, often after the grapes have reached a higher level of ripeness. This extended hang-time on the vine allows the grapes to concentrate their sugars and flavors, leading to wines that are sweet, rich, and intensely aromatic.
How Late Harvest Wines Are Made
Delayed Harvest – The winemaker intentionally waits until the grapes are very ripe, often later in the season. During this time, the sugar levels in the grapes increase, while the acidity decreases, leading to a naturally sweeter wine.
Small Yields, High Concentration – As the grapes ripen, their water content evaporates, leading to smaller, more concentrated berries that result in low-yield harvests but extremely rich, sweet wines.
Fermentation – The fermentation of late harvest wines is often stopped early to leave some of the residual sugars intact, resulting in a sweet finish
