Swedish wine producers had every reason to celebrate the Swedish National Day on 6 June.
The Swedish Wine Tasting event kicked off on Monday; Two days later, the government opened the long-awaited farm sales.

First things first: after years of investigations, the Swedish government has put forward a watertight proposal to allow farm sales – that is, wine producers to sell their wines to visitors. Sweden has had an alcohol monopoly since 1955 and the issue has always been controversial, but with more commercial growers and a growing interest in domestic wine, the government has now come up with a third proposal that looks set to become a reality in spring 2025.

 

The proposal covers all artisanal and small-scale alcoholic products: beer, cider, wine and also spirits. The prerequisite is that sales are made at the place of production and that they may only take place in connection with a paid study visit or lecture related to the product in question at the place of production. The producer must also, like Systembolaget, provide information about the risks of alcohol consumption. Farm sales may also not be conducted earlier than 10 am or last longer than 8 pm.
The restrictions also mean that each consumer can only buy 0.7 litres of spirits and 3 litres each of wine, strong beer and cider.
The government says this proposal will “safeguard the retail monopoly and is deemed compatible with EU law”.
The government will decide in July. A draft bill will then be issued and the proposal will be sent to the EU and all member states for scrutiny. If everything is ok, a bill will be submitted to Parliament and the new law could be in place by spring 2025.
– Now we put our foot down, make decisions and get something done, said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the press conference.
The news was particularly unexpected, as the Minister for Rural Affairs cancelled his visit to the major event The Swedish Wine Tasting on Monday. The event brought together 17 of the country's top sommeliers and writers to blind taste nearly 90 Swedish wines.
This was the start of a manifestation of Swedish wine that will culminate on 28 August. Then ten of the world's leading sommeliers and wine tasters, together with the elite of the top Swedes, will blind taste the ten best Swedish wines from this first tasting together with an equal number of foreign wines. Call it the Swedish version of ”Paris tasting 1976” if you want.
As one of the 17 members of the jury, I can say that the overall quality of Swedish wines has risen considerably in recent years. The vast majority are made by Solaris, and have previously had an unpleasant green flavour with high acidity. Now the wines were more balanced, harmonious and with rounder fruit and integrated acidity. The development is probably a combination of a better understanding of grape and terroir (winemaking) and a more wine-friendly climate. In 2023, some growers got botrytis in their vineyards, which can give Solaris the rounding that makes a difference (personal reflection).
Sweden currently has between 150-200 hectares of vineyards.
Text & photo: Lena Särnholm