Swedish Wine Descriptions

The Scandinavian country of Sweden does not produce much in the way of wine. Despite seemingly endless summer days, it’s just too cold to ripen grapes properly. However, Sweden does have a national drink: vodka. Vodka is a clear distillate that can be produced from almost anything from grain to vegetables to sugars and fruits. For commercial purposes, it is most typically produced from rye, wheat, corn, or potatoes. It has been produced in Sweden since the 15th century, then known as “bränvin” (“burnt wine”), once mostly consumed for medicinal purposes. By the 17th century, with some refinements in its distillation process, it had become the national drink. In the mid 19th century, the first Swedish commercial vodka was introduced by Lars Olson Smith, Absolut Rent Bränvin. 

 

The international popularity of vodka exploded during the late 1960s and 70s. This is perhaps not so coincidental with the rise in popularity of fictional British spy character, James Bond, who preferred his “shaken, not stirred” martinis made with vodka, which he no doubt developed a taste for in his travels. Until then, vodka was virtually unknown to the rest of the world; gin and whisk(e)y had been the favorite cocktail bases. Vodka is now considered one of the most popular spirits in the world, with many evolving styles and flavors. Sweden’s top brand is still Absolut, with other brands such as Svedka, Purity, and Karlsson’s Gold rising on the international scene.