Skane: Diligent internet research helped me discover that Sweden indeed produced wine in the southern province of Skane (pronounced something like Skoner, the "a" having one small circle over it when written properly in Swedish!). After taking my first two courses in the sommelier programme at Algonquin College in the winter of 2012 I decided to visit wineries in the countries I travelled to for work. I believe I first learned there were vineyards in Sweden after randomly thinking Oland would be an interesting island to visit (still on my wish list!). I have now learned that one of, or the largest, vineyard in the country is on the island of Oland but it is not yet producing its own wine. Further internet research led me to two sites that helped me find the wineries I wanted to visit:
Skane - Sweden's Wine Country and
Wine Routes in Skane.
After searching for the vineyards' websites to find contact information(most are only in Swedish), I sent emails to four or five. I had only one confirmation of availability to meet me but I decided to go ahead with my rather ad hoc wine tour. I'm so glad I did because I received a friendly welcome at each vineyard.
Vineyard Visits: I stayed in the most southern region of the province, along the Baltic coast. Although July and August are the best months to visit the vineyards, I was able to visit four wineries in two days (despite the fact I did not have directions to three of the four and I was not in any rush to visit as many as possible). I visited: Fladie Mat & Vingard, Vingarden i Klagshamn, Hallakra Vingard and Doman Sanana. The first two vineyards I found quite by chance as I drove from the Malmo airport, through Lund, toward the small towns of Fladie and then south to Klagshamn during the afternoon of my first day in Skane. I was lucky to pass by prominent signs at both places that pointed me in the direction of the vineyards. After spending the night in Trelleborg, the next day I visited Hallakra Vineyard, in North Gronby, having made an appointment in advance with the owner, and then I found Domana Sanana after asking for directions in the town of Skillinge on the south east coast. These latter two vineyards also produce their own wine.
I'll write separate blogs about three of the vineyards (the owner of
Fladie Mat & Vingard was not there but the chef at the conference centre and restaurant welcomed me to walk around the beautiful grounds).
Today, on my third day I considered driving to Arild, about 1 to 1.5 hours north of the city of Malmo, but decided I needed to stretch my legs and discover this port city on foot.
Arilds Vingard of Annette and Jonas Ivarsson was suggested as a good choice to visit by Murat Sofrakis of Vingarden i Klagshamn and I have since found interesting tasting notes on their wine. But I will wait for another opportunity to visit them.
Skane, an Emerging Wine Region: Once Sweden became a member of the European Union in 1995, changes to the Swedish monopolies on alcohol production and sales were negotiated. See an interesting
paper by Paulina Rytkonen on the emergence of wine in the province of Skane, traditionally an agricultural area. The temperate climate, soil and other characteristics of the terroir make Skane ideal for certain grape varietals common grown in Germany and Denmark. Grape cultivation and wineries emerged at the end of the 1990s, 1998 or 1999, when the first vineyards were planted. Wine-making commenced a few years later as the vines began to yield adequate grapes.
Travel Tips: It is best to visit in July or August. Some of the wineries I had hoped to visit, such as Ahus Vingard on the eastern coast, were not open. After the busy summer tourist season the vineyard owners may take advantage of the quieter month of September to take their own vacation before the grapes are harvested in October.
Rondo 2010: The Rondo grape is a hybrid varietal commonly cultivated for red wine in northern Europe due to is resistance to disease and the fact that it is early to ripen, similar to the Solaris hybrid. When I tasted Hällåkra's 2010 Rondo it reminded me of a Pinot Noir. I detected dark berries and an earthy aroma. Upon tasting I also picked up a hint of black licorice with the more predominant sour cherry flavour. I immediately thought it would pair well with poultry but Håkan added that it also complemented game meats and lamb. I purchased a bottle the next day in a Systembolaget in Malmo to bring home to Ottawa.
Hällåkra Vineyard & Winery: Håkan began to cultivate grapes in 2003 on the land previously farmed by his family. The land is approximately 12 kilometers from the Baltic coast on hilly terrain with gravel in the soil. Rondo vines make up 80% of the 4 hectares of plantings with the remaining 20% of the yield made up of Leon Millot and Regent (both hybrid red varietals). The goal is to steadily increase the number of plantings annually to reach the goal of 45,000 vines (there are currently 10,500 vines at the vineyard). Winemaking commenced at Hällåkra in 2003 with support from a Danish winemaker and in 2008 the first wines were sold commercially through the state-owned Systembolaget. Over the years Håkan has developed a network of supporters who help with harvest and promote or attend summer events in the beautiful garden patio. He is also establishing contacts in the chemistry department at the University of Lund to support research related to vinification. The conference centre at the vineyard, operated by Håkan's wife, provides the couple with the opportunity to pair Hällåkra wine with local cuisine. 
