Travel

Grape expectations: the world's northernmost wine regions

Are you in the mood for a climate change Chardonnay? How about a mercury-rising Rioja? Wine regions which thus far were ignored are beginning to realize their stock is rising, as global warming is changing viticulture.

Germany: Saxony-Anhalt

German wine is a bit like Marmite: you either love it or hate it. But there's more to than just Moselle Rieslings to savor. In east Germany, there's a whole northern wine region in Saxony-Anhalt, the Weinstrasse Saale-Unstrut, stretching along a 70-kilometer (43-mile) route. Thus far, it is officially considered the northernmost wine route in Europe. But climate change is bound to change that.
Germany: Föhr

The North Frisian island of Föhr, which is less than 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from Denmark, has a population of 8,500. Surrounded by the sea breeze in all directions, the local Riesling varietal known as Johanniter thrives in the rough local climate, yielding various white wine products, including a sparkling Brut. What's nicer than to be stuck on an island with an infinite supply of wine?
Belgium

The stellar reputation of Belgian beer is well-known throughout the world. But what about its grapes? The country's wines actually date back all the way to Roman times. Today, the one remaining wine castle in Genoels-Elderen, is proud to continue this age-old tradition, with its Chardonnay giving the French neighbors a run for their money. If you prefer red wine, you can try their Pinot Noir.
England

The UK is the second-largest Champagne export destination in the world. Brits just love their bubbles in a coupe glass. However, winemakers in England are increasingly perfecting the art of bottling their own sparkles using the same methods used in France's Champagne region. RidgeView Wine Estate in Sussex (seen here) is a UK leader, having won 51 medals and 12 trophies around the globe.
Scotland

Scotland's vines are so eager they grow on the walls of the nation's famous castles. Indeed, it's not all about whisky in Scotland, as the Celts are increasingly trying their hand at ciders and wines as well. But is it the next Loire Valley? Critics say that Scottish wines are largely undrinkable, but with climate change continuing on its path this might soon change.
Sweden

Sweden's alcohol industry is controlled by a government monopoly, which is not allowed to advertise booze. This is why the country's wines have not really been heard of much even within the country. But with wine tasting being a popular social activity in Sweden, the word is getting out on quality wines from vineyards such as Astad Vingård, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Stockholm.
Norway

Lerkekåsa Vineyard near Norway's Flatdal region prides itself as being the most northerly commercial vineyard in the world. It's located at about the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska. The biggest grape varietal grown here is the Solaris, which is particularly cold-resistant, but the company is experimenting with about 20 other grapes now — thanks to global warming, of course.
Iceland

Grapes don't actually grow in Iceland — yet. But one winemaker tried to invent a brew that looked and tasted just like real wine — but the product was apparently a flop. Made from blackberries, blueberries and rhubarb, Kvöldsól was packed with anti-oxidants but sadly had to be discontinued recently. Perhaps in future years with rising temperatures, Iceland might grow real grapes and try again.
Canada

About a 5-hour drive northeast of Vancouver lies the stunning Okanagan Lake with its wine-growing valley. Wines from this region used to ambitious and somewhat experimental at best. Nowadays, with the effects of global warming playing out, the harvest season is long enough to even grow Merlot and pure-breed Chardonnays. Move over, Napa Valley. This is North America's new grape on the stock.
Crimea

When Donald Swann and Michael Flanders wrote "Have Some Madeira, M'Dear" in 1959, they most certainly weren't picturing the green pastures of Crimea. The Russian-occupied region has a wine history that dates back to Czar Nicholas II. Benefiting from the mild climate of the Black Sea, Massandra Madeira is said to have been served at the Yalta conference in 1945. Or so we hear through the grapevine.
Russia

Russia's Belgorod Oblast dates its affinity for wine back to the late Middle Ages, claiming that Turks and Tatars first noted the fact that the region would lend itself to growing grapes. In the 19th century, French settlers arrived to help cultivate grapes bringing their know-how from Bordeaux and Burgundy with them. You can clearly ditch your Russian vodka for wine here.
Russia: Siberia

In Siberia, which has a reputation for permafrost, there's a long tradition of people harvesting and fermenting grapes. In 2009, a local family decided to take this to the next level, cultivating wine on an industrial scale to produce the first Siberian wine for a mass market. Their two main grapes, Pinot Noir and Muscat, are harvested on an area of eight hectares, producing 50,000 bottles a year.

Germany: Saxony-Anhalt

German wine is a bit like Marmite: you either love it or hate it. But there's more to than just Moselle Rieslings to savor. In east Germany, there's a whole northern wine region in Saxony-Anhalt, the Weinstrasse Saale-Unstrut, stretching along a 70-kilometer (43-mile) route. Thus far, it is officially considered the northernmost wine route in Europe. But climate change is bound to change that.
Germany: Föhr

The North Frisian island of Föhr, which is less than 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from Denmark, has a population of 8,500. Surrounded by the sea breeze in all directions, the local Riesling varietal known as Johanniter thrives in the rough local climate, yielding various white wine products, including a sparkling Brut. What's nicer than to be stuck on an island with an infinite supply of wine?
Belgium

The stellar reputation of Belgian beer is well-known throughout the world. But what about its grapes? The country's wines actually date back all the way to Roman times. Today, the one remaining wine castle in Genoels-Elderen, is proud to continue this age-old tradition, with its Chardonnay giving the French neighbors a run for their money. If you prefer red wine, you can try their Pinot Noir.
England

The UK is the second-largest Champagne export destination in the world. Brits just love their bubbles in a coupe glass. However, winemakers in England are increasingly perfecting the art of bottling their own sparkles using the same methods used in France's Champagne region. RidgeView Wine Estate in Sussex (seen here) is a UK leader, having won 51 medals and 12 trophies around the globe.
Scotland

Scotland's vines are so eager they grow on the walls of the nation's famous castles. Indeed, it's not all about whisky in Scotland, as the Celts are increasingly trying their hand at ciders and wines as well. But is it the next Loire Valley? Critics say that Scottish wines are largely undrinkable, but with climate change continuing on its path this might soon change.
Sweden

Sweden's alcohol industry is controlled by a government monopoly, which is not allowed to advertise booze. This is why the country's wines have not really been heard of much even within the country. But with wine tasting being a popular social activity in Sweden, the word is getting out on quality wines from vineyards such as Astad Vingård, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Stockholm.
Norway

Lerkekåsa Vineyard near Norway's Flatdal region prides itself as being the most northerly commercial vineyard in the world. It's located at about the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska. The biggest grape varietal grown here is the Solaris, which is particularly cold-resistant, but the company is experimenting with about 20 other grapes now — thanks to global warming, of course.
Iceland

Grapes don't actually grow in Iceland — yet. But one winemaker tried to invent a brew that looked and tasted just like real wine — but the product was apparently a flop. Made from blackberries, blueberries and rhubarb, Kvöldsól was packed with anti-oxidants but sadly had to be discontinued recently. Perhaps in future years with rising temperatures, Iceland might grow real grapes and try again.
Canada

About a 5-hour drive northeast of Vancouver lies the stunning Okanagan Lake with its wine-growing valley. Wines from this region used to ambitious and somewhat experimental at best. Nowadays, with the effects of global warming playing out, the harvest season is long enough to even grow Merlot and pure-breed Chardonnays. Move over, Napa Valley. This is North America's new grape on the stock.
Crimea

When Donald Swann and Michael Flanders wrote "Have Some Madeira, M'Dear" in 1959, they most certainly weren't picturing the green pastures of Crimea. The Russian-occupied region has a wine history that dates back to Czar Nicholas II. Benefiting from the mild climate of the Black Sea, Massandra Madeira is said to have been served at the Yalta conference in 1945. Or so we hear through the grapevine.
Russia

Russia's Belgorod Oblast dates its affinity for wine back to the late Middle Ages, claiming that Turks and Tatars first noted the fact that the region would lend itself to growing grapes. In the 19th century, French settlers arrived to help cultivate grapes bringing their know-how from Bordeaux and Burgundy with them. You can clearly ditch your Russian vodka for wine here.
Russia: Siberia

In Siberia, which has a reputation for permafrost, there's a long tradition of people harvesting and fermenting grapes. In 2009, a local family decided to take this to the next level, cultivating wine on an industrial scale to produce the first Siberian wine for a mass market. Their two main grapes, Pinot Noir and Muscat, are harvested on an area of eight hectares, producing 50,000 bottles a year.

Date 01.08.2019
Number of pictures 12
Author Sertan Sanderson
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Travel

Grape expectations: the world's northernmost wine regions

Germany: Saxony-Anhalt

Germany: Föhr

Belgium

England

Scotland

Sweden

Norway

Iceland

Canada

Crimea

Russia

Russia: Siberia