Late harvest is a term applied to wines made from grapes left on the vine longer than usual. Late harvest is usually an indication of a sweet dessert wine such as Late Harvest Riesling. Late harvest grapes are often more similar to raisins, but have been naturally dehydrated while on the vine.

Botrytis, noble rot, is a mold that causes grapes to lose nearly all of their water content. Wines made from botrytis-affected grapes are generally extremely sweet.

Sauternes

Sauternes (So-TAIRN), such as Château d'Yquem, are produced in the Sauternes region south of Bordeaux. They are made from botrytis infected Semillon and Sauvignon blanc grapes. Semillon is preferred due to the grape's thin skin and susceptibility to the botrytis which gives the grape a high sugar content. These wines, as well as those from the neighboring Barsac region, are noted for the balance that complements the honeyed sweetness.

During fermentation, the juice is transferred into oak wine barrels where the high sugar concentration of must prolongs the fermentation time which can last up to a year. When the alcohol level kills off all present yeasts, the fermentation stops leaving the residual sugar at levels between 8 to 12% and alcohol levels around 14%.

After fermentation, the wine is placed in an aging barrel for two to three years before it is bottled where it will continue aging. A Sauterne from a reputable estate can bottle age for over 30 years though they normally hit their peak 10 years after the vintage date.

Tokaji

The most well known Tokaji (Toe-KAY) wines are produced in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region of Hungary. Wine has been made in this region since as early as 1650, before the botrytized wines of Sauternes and the Rheingau were produced. The Furmint, Yellow Muscat, and Hárslevelű grapes are the primary grapes used in this wine. In a manner similar to Sherry, the wine is aged in partially filled barrels with a film of yeast on top and stored underground in wine cavern.

German Late Harvest Wines

In Germany, wines are classified according to the ripeness of the grape at time of harvest. Within the Qualitätswein mit Prädikat classification, there are four levels of late harvest wines-Spätlese (SHPAYT-lay-zuh), Auslese (OWS-lay-zeh), Beerenauslese (BARE-ehn-OWS-lay-zeh) and Trockenbeerenauslese (TROCK-en-BEHR-en-OWS-lay-zeh) with the last two levels being botrytized.

Icewine or Eiswein

Icewines are popular in the cold northernly wine regions of Germany and Canada where the grapes can freeze on the wine. As the grapes are pressed, the frozen water crystals are eliminated leaving the highly concentrated sugar behind.