In 1984, just after the number of grands crus increased to 25, a new decree created two new designations for late-harvest wines: Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles.
These two terms imply sweetness and may be printed on either Alsace AOP or Alsace Grand Cru AOP labels, provided the wines contain a single, noble variety and pass a blind tasting panel. Grapes destined for Sélection de Grains Nobles are generally picked in tries, and suppress varietal character in return for the complexities of botrytis. Vendanges Tardives, on the other hand, may show botrytis character but emphasizes varietal purity. Quality VT wines usually originate from vines in a state of passerillage. VT and SGN wines are not obligated by statute to be sweet; in practice SGN wines are always dessert-like but VT wines may vary in actual sugar, and can be quite dry. Grapes for both wines must be hand-harvested at specific, unenriched minimum sugar levels: Vendanges Tardives requires a minimum of 244 grams per liter for Muscat and Riesling, and 270 grams per liter for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. Sélection de Grains Nobles requires 276 grams per liter for Muscat and Riesling and 306 grams per liter for Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. At 306 grams per liter, these wines are amongst the highest minimum must weights in France.