Late vintage wines - Vins & Crémants Luxembourg

Ice wine

The production of ice wine is subject to a number of conditions: The grapes must be naturally frozen and the external temperature must be at least -7 °C. The water contained in the berries crystallizes and only the sugar contained in the grapes binds non-crystallized water and fruit acids. The grapes are pressed so that only sugar-containing extract is obtained. The result is a highly concentrated and sweet wine. The following vine cultivars are used for the production of this wine: Pinot blanc, Pinot gris and Riesling.

Straw wine

For the production of straw wine, the vines are stored on straw mats (hence the name) and air-dried for at least two months. As a result of this process, the water evaporates and the sugar concentration increases. The raisin-like grapes are then pressed into a wine. Straw wine is a heavy but aromatic and sweet wine that can be stored for a very long time. In Luxembourg, the following vine cultivars are used for the production of straw wine: Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Auxerrois and Gewürztraminer.

Late harvest

For the late vintage, only selected, ripe grapes are used. From these ripe grapes, sugar- and alcohol-rich wines with strong, often soft aromas such as honey, dried fruits or caramel are produced. Often grapes with a portion of Botrytis are used for the late vintage, also called “noble rot”. Botrytis is a fungus that destroys the skin of the grapes and evaporates a part of the water content in the grape, resulting in a natural concentration of the ingredients. The following varieties are used in Luxembourg: Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Auxerrois, Gewürztraminer and Riesling.