Quinta do Gradil Late Harvest
Quinta do Gradil Late Harvest is an exquisite Portuguese dessert wine and an indulgent late harvest white wine from the Lisboa (Lisbon) region. It is made from Petit Manseng and Sémillon grapes that are left on the vine until November, concentrating their natural sugars and flavors. This 50cl half-bottle pours a rich amber-golden color and offers intensely aromatic notes of dried apricot, toasted nuts, and honeyed raisins. On the palate the wine is unctuous yet elegant, revealing luscious layers of candied orange, ripe fig and warm spice. The finish is long, sweet and refreshing, never cloying.
Flavor Profile
This wine has a complex, dessert-like flavor profile. The nose is intensely aromatic, with pronounced scents of apricot, honey and dried fruit, plus hints of cinnamon and vanilla. These aromas carry through to the palate, which shows rich marmalade and gingerbread notes alongside candied orange peel and toasted fig. Its concentrated sweetness is perfectly balanced by bright, refreshing acidity, so each sip feels vibrant and balanced. Tasters often note its persistent, honeyed finish and elegant interplay of fruit and spice.
Winemaking & Terroir
The grapes for this Colheita Tardia are hand-harvested in the cool, pre-dawn hours of November to preserve delicate aromas. Fermentation is slow and cool to retain fresh fruit character, and the wine is aged partly in used French oak barrels, adding subtle vanilla and toast notes. Quinta do Gradil’s estate – one of Lisbon’s oldest – has clayey, sandy soils on the sun-drenched Montejunto slopes, cooled by gentle Atlantic breezes. This careful approach yields a dessert wine that is rich, full-bodied and velvety in texture. Quinta do Gradil dates back to the 18th century, and its long winemaking heritage is reflected in every bottle.
Food Pairings
This golden dessert wine pairs beautifully with a variety of sweet and savory dishes. Its honeyed sweetness and bright acidity make it highly versatile. Ideal pairings include:
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Rich cheeses: Serve with creamy blue cheese (like Stilton or a strong Portuguese blue) or aged nutty cheeses – the sweetness of the wine balances their saltiness.
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Savory pâtés: Foie gras, duck pâté or chicken liver pâté highlight the wine’s apricot and honey notes.
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Fruit-based desserts: Fruit tarts (apple, pear or peach), crème brûlée or almond cake complement its orange marmalade and candied fruit flavors.
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Portuguese ports: For a classic pairing, enjoy it alongside a young Ruby Port such as Offley Ruby or Porto Ferreira Ruby – both exemplify Portugal’s sweet-wine tradition.
Serve Late Harvest lightly chilled (around 10–12 °C) to showcase its fresh acidity and elegant finish.
For more wines from Quinta Gradil, see the Quinta do Gradil Reserva Tinto 2019 and Quinta do Gradil Tannat Tinto 2021. You can also explore our [Lisbon wine collection] for regional specialties. To discover additional sweet Portuguese whites, browse our [White wine collection] or [Port wine collection] on Garrafeira da Ilha.
A True Dessert Treasure
Quinta do Gradil Late Harvest is more than just a Portuguese dessert wine, it is a sensory journey. The wine's balance of sweetness and acidity makes it both luxurious and refreshing. Unlike many overly sugary dessert wines, this late harvest white wine finishes clean, leaving your palate ready for another sip.
This makes it perfect for celebrations, gourmet dinners, or special moments of self-indulgence. Whether you’re hosting a festive holiday gathering or enjoying a quiet night with cheese and fruit, this wine delivers sophistication and charm in every glass.
Ideal Gift or Cellar Addition
Because of its elegant packaging and exceptional quality, Late Harvest also makes a perfect gift. Wine collectors and enthusiasts alike will appreciate its complexity and aging potential. Although ready to enjoy now, it can also be cellared for several years. With time, its flavors deepen, and its structure evolves gracefully.
Explore more luxurious options like the Quinta do Gradil Syrah Tinto 2021 or the refined Quinta do Gradil Viognier Branco for additional expressions of this historic estate.
At Garrafeira da Ilha, we proudly feature premium wines that reflect Portugal’s rich heritage. Quinta do Gradil Late Harvest is one of the finest.
