In Danish, Vendemmia Tardiva can be translated as "late harvest" which refers to the grapes that are left on the vine after the physiological maturity. In some cases the grapes are allowed to dry on the plant so that the content of the grape has concentrated amounts of sugar. The result is a sweet wine with high alcohol content, less acid and therefore, with a more intense flavor.
Under ideal weather conditions, moisture and fog followed by a warm and sunny autumn, the grapes are attacked by the so-called "noble rot" (botrytis cinerea) with which the wine is fed even more grades.
The Italians have been relatively slow to adopt the method, which in Germany is known as the "Spätlese".
Basically, a late harvest grape (Vendemmia Tardiva) produces an intense light to dark golden wine. The scent usually goes in the direction of apricots, plums, figs, honey, with a touch of citrus and gooseberry combined with honeyed almonds. The taste is described by some as an explosion. In any case, the taste is mellow, sweet and fruity, yet with fine balancing acidity. The aftertaste is creamy and citrusy.
Did you know?
That Italy in 2011 was the worlds largest wine producer?
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