Time on the vine is how a grape gets its sweetness. Many sweet wines are labeled “late harvest” and stay on the vines longer than other grapes, thus increasing the amount of sugar ripeness. As a result, you get wine with a higher concentration of sugar flavors. Late Harvest Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are good dessert wine options, partially because they are naturally high-acid varieties that stay flavorful and sweet in your mouth.

Muscat, which is a lighter-flavored sweet wine, also pairs well with desserts, but can also complement a stronger-flavored cheese, or even foie gras. Port is another sweet wine option that goes great with blue cheese as well as dark chocolate. A sweet, chilled sherry goes well with a sweet ice cream, and an icewine pairs well with lemon tarts and crème brulee.

Late Harvest wines are left on the vines until they shrivel into something more raisin-like. Botrytis (known more formally as Botrytis cinerea and less formally as Noble Rot) is a mold that builds on the grapes while they are on the vine and causes them to rot, thus the term Noble Rot since the end result is anything but rotten. Late Harvest wines are often made from Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon although many California producers will also use Muscat. The famous Sauterne wines of France (Chateau d’Yquem being the most notable) are made from botrytis infected Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes.

Hall Winery Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, our 100% Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest wine delivers strong stone fruit aromas and loads of rich, honey flavor.

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