Late Harvest Wine

Late Harvest Wine from Tokaj

Discover our collection of Late Harvest and late-picked sweet wines from Tokaj, ranging from fresh, aromatic Late Harvest styles to richer Szamorodni, prestigious Tokaji Aszú and exceptionally concentrated Eszencia.

These wines share a common foundation: grapes harvested at advanced ripeness, often with varying degrees of noble rot, producing concentrated flavours, natural sweetness and the vibrant acidity for which Tokaj is famous.

For a complete guide to the region’s sweet-wine styles, visit our Tokaji Dessert Wine collection.

What Is Late Harvest Wine?

Late Harvest wine is made from grapes left on the vine longer than those intended for conventional dry wine, allowing additional ripeness, flavour concentration and natural sugar to develop.

In Tokaj, autumn mist from the Bodrog and Tisza rivers can also encourage Botrytis cinerea, or noble rot, in suitable vintages. This shrivels the grapes and concentrates sugar, acidity and flavour.

Tokaj produces several distinct wine styles from late-picked and botrytised fruit. These include straightforward Late Harvest wines alongside traditional Szamorodni, Tokaji Aszú and Eszencia, each made using a different method.

Late Harvest or Tokaji Aszú – Which Should You Choose?

For many customers, the easiest way to understand the difference is through style and occasion.

Late Harvest Tokaji is generally made to emphasise youthful fruit, freshness and drinkability. These wines are often matured for shorter periods in stainless steel or neutral oak, helping preserve bright primary aromas and a lighter, more immediate style.

Tokaji Aszú is considerably more concentrated and labour-intensive. Individually selected noble-rotted berries are macerated with must or base wine before extended maturation, producing a richer, more complex wine with greater ageing potential.

Choose Late Harvest when you want a fresh, fruit-forward sweet wine for casual dining, lighter desserts or everyday enjoyment. Choose Aszú when you are looking for greater concentration, complexity, ageing potential or a wine for a special occasion.

Explore the more concentrated style in our Tokaji Aszú collection.

An Accessible Introduction to Sweet Tokaji

Late Harvest wines offer one of the most approachable ways to discover Tokaj's sweet wines.

They require less intensive grape selection and generally less prolonged maturation than traditional Aszú, allowing producers to create wines with authentic Tokaji character at a more accessible price point.

This makes Late Harvest an attractive everyday luxury: a way to experience the ripe fruit, vibrant acidity and volcanic character of Tokaj without moving immediately into the price and concentration of premium Aszú.

Tokajicum Sárgamuskotály Late Harvest

Our Tokajicum Sárgamuskotály Late Harvest shows the particularly aromatic side of sweet Tokaji.

Sárgamuskotály, internationally known as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, is one of the region’s most expressive grape varieties. It is naturally highly aromatic, with floral and fruit-driven character even before late harvesting adds further concentration.

When harvested late, Sárgamuskotály can develop particularly fragrant notes of elderflower, orange blossom, lychee, apricot and ripe tropical fruit, giving the wine an immediately appealing, perfumed style.

Our Tokajicum example combines honey, apricot and mango with caramel, ginger and refreshing citrus, making it an excellent choice for customers who enjoy aromatic sweet wines.

Wine for Christmas Pudding

Our Tokaji Christmas Pudding Wine was created especially for us by Tokaji winemaker István Balassa.

Made from Furmint and Hárslevelű, it combines ripe tropical fruit, golden honey and fresh acidity with the mineral character associated with Tokaj’s volcanic terroir.

Late Harvest Tokaji is a particularly good wine for Christmas pudding because its sweetness matches the richness of dried fruit and spice while its acidity keeps the pairing fresh. It also goes beautifully with mince pies and fruitcake.

You can also serve it with blue cheese after Christmas dinner or enjoy it chilled on its own. Its unique festive label also makes it a novelty present or a stylish stocking-filler for wine lovers.

Tokaji Szamorodni

Szamorodni is a traditional Tokaji style made from whole bunches containing both healthy and botrytised grapes. Sweet examples combine concentrated fruit and honeyed richness with Tokaj’s characteristic acidity.

Because the whole bunch is processed together rather than selecting individual Aszú berries, Szamorodni has its own distinct identity.

Discover more in our Tokaji Szamorodni collection.

Tokaji Aszú

Tokaji Aszú represents the most famous traditional expression of Tokaj’s noble-rotted fruit.

Individual Aszú berries are hand-selected and macerated with must or base wine, producing intensely concentrated wines with flavours of apricot, marmalade, citrus peel, honey, and spice.

Explore our Tokaji Aszú collection, including 5 and 6 Puttonyos wines from selected producers.

Tokaji Eszencia

At the most concentrated end of the spectrum is Tokaji Eszencia, produced from the free-run juice released naturally by individually selected Aszú berries.

Its extraordinary sugar concentration results in very slow fermentation, very low alcohol and remarkable intensity. Eszencia is among the rarest and most distinctive products of the Tokaj region.

Why Tokaj Is Famous for Sweet Wine

Tokaj’s volcanic soils, native grape varieties and autumn climate create ideal conditions for producing wines with both sweetness and freshness.

Furmint is especially important because it retains high natural acidity even at advanced ripeness, helping balance the concentration of late-picked and botrytised fruit.

Explore the grape across dry, sparkling and sweet styles in our Furmint Wine collection.

Personally Selected by Zoltan

Best of Hungary co-founder Zoltan Kopacsi curates our Tokaji range using specialist wine education and first-hand experience of the region.

During his postgraduate Wine Business Management studies at the University of Tokaj, he visited producers across the region and gained direct insight into the different approaches used for Late Harvest, Szamorodni, Aszú and other traditional Tokaji styles.

What Does Late Harvest Wine Taste Like?

Typical flavours across the collection can include apricot, peach, mango, honey, orange peel, marmalade, dried fruit, caramel and sweet spice.

The exact style depends on grape variety, level of noble rot, winemaking method and age, ranging from light and aromatic to intensely concentrated and complex.

What Food Goes with Late Harvest Wine?

Lighter Late Harvest wines pair well with fruit desserts, cheesecake, panna cotta, pavlova and festive puddings. Richer Szamorodni and Aszú work beautifully with foie gras, blue cheese, mature cheese and nut- or fruit-based desserts.

The most concentrated wines, including Eszencia, are often best enjoyed slowly on their own.

Buy Late Harvest Wine Online in the UK

Browse our collection of Late Harvest and late-picked Tokaji wines, from fresh aromatic styles to Szamorodni, Aszú and rare Eszencia.

For the complete regional range, including dry and sparkling wines, visit our Tokaji Wine collection, or explore our wider Hungarian Wine selection. We carefully pack orders for delivery across the UK.