– Piedmont Sognefjorden. That’s what these are going to be, says wine farmer Bjørn Bergum as he gently tends the grape vines that grow at Slinde vineyard in Sogn. Here, between the fjord and the mountains at 61 degrees north, we find one of the world’s most northerly vineyards. Over 3,000 grape vines stretch towards the blue sky and the warming sun. Now they have to go out into the light to speed up their ripening. Eventually they will end up as precious drops. 40 wine farmers in Norway In the Leikanger area in Sogn, there are a total of eight wine producers who now call themselves Piemonte Sognefjord. They have planted 15,000 vines together. Today there are around 40 vineyards in Norway, according to figures from the Wine and Spirits Suppliers’ Association. Bergum and his roommate Halldis Nedrebø themselves planted the first plants in the ground in 2014. Since then, they have won a number of awards for their wine, as well as the Wine Farmer of the Year award. The winegrower in Sogn believes there is potential for far more people in Norway to also run vineyards. Ingunn Jordheim, general secretary of the Wine and spirits suppliers’ association, is in agreement with the wine farmers in Sogn. She believes that wine production in Norway is only in the initial phase. Halldis Nedrebø (left) and Zsuzsanna Barna, who work at the vineyard in Slinde, think it’s very nice to be wine farmers. Here during a previous harvest. Photo: Stian Sjursen Takle / news – There are several people who are interested in growing grapes and making wine, but due to the Norwegian climate there is no tradition of grape growing in this country, says Jordheim to the Nynorsk press office. Today, only special types of grapes suitable for the cold are available in Norway. But this may change in line with climate change. Climate change may lead to more wine farmers Because with a warmer climate, there may be more suitable temperatures for the production of grapes and wine in Norway. Steffen Riis Christiansen, product manager at Vinmonopolet, says we have good opportunities to become a wine country in the future. He adds that short-distance food is popular, and that both Swedish and Danish wine are selling well. At the same time, it requires a lot of equity capital to start up as a wine producer in Norway. This means that those who bet have to take it seriously in order to succeed. Grape cultivation takes a long time. A vine is at its most optimal when it is between 30 and 40 years old. Photo: Wibeke Bruland / news Winegrower Bergum in Sogn also believes that climate change with warmer temperatures could give viticulture this far north a push in the back. – It rains more when it first rains, and it gets warmer when it is first warm, he says. A number of European countries struggling with the heat this summer fear for wine production. Bergum is in no doubt about what he himself prefers: – I would rather have a year like this where we struggle a bit with sun and rain for another, than to wallow in 40 degree heat. It’s almost as crazy as frost. I think there is great potential. Even though it has been a very humid summer, the wine farmer at Slinde has good faith that there will be good sparkling wine after all. Because right here along the Sognefjord there are good opportunities for that, the wine farmers explain. The sun in the sky is also reflected from the water, and with good soil and water, as well as good care, there will be good grapes. When autumn comes, the grapes must be harvested. Photo: Stian Sjursen Takle / news – And then you have to talk to the plants. They enjoy air and light, then they enjoy themselves, says Bergum. He sees that other Nordic countries are ahead of Norway, but he believes that more here at home will also have their eye on vineyards over time. – Start now, because then you will be first out. There is fantastic potential for doing this. Next year, he and his partner will venture abroad with their wine. – If we get recognition with gold from 61 degrees north, then there is nothing to discuss. Then it’s just a matter of planting vines along the Sognefjord, he says.
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Thinks Norway can become a wine country in the future – news Vestland
