Spätlese is a classification standard for wines in German-speaking wine-growing regions. Wines designated with this standard have minimum prescribed quality requirements, including the Oechsle weight. In the classification series, the Spätlese is above the Kabinett and below the Auslese. A classification standard or quality standard is not synonymous with a quality wine in the sense of “level of appreciation”. This is partly determined by the craftsmanship of the winemaker concerned.
Literally, Spätlese means "picked late". The grapes have been given the opportunity to ripen longer on the vine. The “time” the grape is picked differs per region and grape variety.
In France, the term Vendange tardive is used for similar harvest periods.
