Spätlese, Botrytis and ice wine: Noble sweet wines with a special character

Spätlese literally means ‘late harvest’ and describes wines whose grapes are harvested later than usual. The grapes remain on the vine longer and therefore develop more sugar and more intense flavours.

The harvest is usually carried out manually in order to select only the best and ripest grapes. The higher sugar content of the grapes leads to a balanced interplay of sweetness and acidity in the wine. Typical flavours include fruity notes such as peach, apricot and honey, which make the wine particularly aromatic and full-bodied.

If the right level of humidity and warmth prevails in autumn, the grapes can be attacked by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). This fungus is not harmful, but attacks the skin of the grapes and perforates it. As a result, water can escape, but extracts and sugar remain in the slightly shrivelled grape. This process leads to particularly intense wines. In Switzerland, such botrytis wines are produced in Valais, among other places.

Ice wine is produced under extreme conditions. The grapes remain on the vine well into the winter and are only harvested when they are at least -7°C and completely frozen through.

The low temperatures freeze the water in the berries so that only the highly concentrated must with an intense sugar and acid content is extracted during pressing. This process requires patience and a high level of risk, as the grapes must remain healthy until harvest. The result is a wine with complex flavours of tropical fruits, honey and a concise acidity that gives the wine an exceptional freshness.

Late harvest, botrytis and ice wine are an expression of artisanal winemaking, as their production is associated with considerable risks. Unfavourable weather conditions, for example, can lead to total failure. One thing is clear: these are wines that are among the special treasures in the wine cellar due to their exceptional production conditions and intense flavours.