Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2035
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Foie gras, strong washed-rind cheeses like Munster, and spiced fruit tarts.
✨ Technical Specifications
Wolfberger, established in 1902 in the historic village of Eguisheim, is a cornerstone of Alsatian winemaking. This Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives (Late Harvest) represents the pinnacle of patience and natural alchemy. The grapes are left on the vine weeks after the normal harvest, allowing them to shrivel and often develop Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), which concentrates sugars, acidity, and complex aromatics. Historically, Pinot Gris in Alsace was referred to as 'Tokay d'Alsace,' a nod to legendary tales of Hungarian vines brought back by General Lazare de Schwendi in the 16th century. Grown on the region's diverse clay-limestone soils, this wine undergoes slow fermentation and extended lees aging, resulting in a rich, opulent profile defined by notes of honey, dried apricots, smoky minerals, and gingerbread, all balanced by Alsace's signature vibrant acidity.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1902 in the historic village of Eguisheim, Wolfberger was established when visionary local winegrowers united to create one of Alsace's most prominent and influential cooperative houses. A pioneer in regional innovation, the producer played an instrumental role in the official establishment of the Crémant d'Alsace AOC in 1976, harmonizing centuries-old regional tradition with modern winemaking precision. Wolfberger carefully oversees a vast mosaic of Alsace terroirs, emphasizing sustainable viticulture and meticulous parcel selection. The house is widely acclaimed for its classic single-varietal expressions—including aromatic Gewurztraminer, mineral-driven Riesling, and structured Pinot Noir—alongside elegant Crémant sparkling wines, lusciously concentrated Vendanges Tardives, and traditional fruit brandies.