Scandinavian Wines Emerge as New Industry, Aim to Attract Consumers

Scandinavia, a cold, northern region, is unexpectedly establishing itself as a new area for wine production. What began as a specialized pastime is now evolving into a modest yet thriving industry, with hundreds of commercial vineyards appearing across Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, cultivated by a pioneering generation of professional winemakers. On Zealand, Denmark’s largest island, a hillside vineyard hosts over 10,000 vines, situated significantly further north than renowned wine regions like Bordeaux in France or Napa Valley in California. Nina Fink, co-owner of the three-hectare (seven-acre) Vejrhøj Vingård, informed the BBC, “People have found out that it is actually possible to grow wine in Denmark, so newcomers are coming, year after year.” Nina and her husband, Niels, established their winery 13 years ago, following their retirement from corporate positions in Copenhagen. Their production primarily involves green grapes, from which they create floral white wines, in addition to sparkling and rosé varieties. She clarified, “We have longer summer days with more sunlight than you have in France or in Italy, so the conditions are different.” Solaris, an aromatic hybrid grape, is favored by most Scandinavian vineyards due to its suitability for colder climates, ease of ripening, and enhanced disease resistance, which reduces the need for pesticide application. This grape variety originated in Germany in 1975 but was not adopted in Scandinavia until