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‘First’ Scottish wine to be bottled this year
A white wine from Fife, believed to be the “world’s first” Scottish wine, is to be bottled this year by chef and food writer Christopher Trotter.
Christopher Trotter is to bottle a white wine from Fife this year
As reported by Bloomberg, the effects of climate change have made it possible for Trotter to ripen grapes at his vineyard located to the north of Edinburgh.
While the country remains too cold for Sauvignon Blanc to ripen, Trotter has had success this year with early budding German variety Solaris, along with early ripening white Siegerrebe and red grape Rondo.
Around 75% of his 200-vine vineyard in Upper Largo on the southern coast of Fife is planted with the Solaris variety, which was developed in Germany in 1975.
While Scotland has a rich history of both whisky making and brewing, due to the cold climate, grape growing and wine making has thus far eluded the Scots.
“Scotland has been more of a beer-drinking nation than anything else. Wine hasn’t been part of the culture until now,” Trotter told Bloomberg.
Last year however, Trotter experienced his hottest summer since childhood, with temperatures averaging 21.4 degrees in Fife last July – the second highest on record, leading the vines to undertake “incredibly vigorous” growth.
Bloomberg reports that Trotter is considering scattering seashells under his vines in order to retain daytime warmth, having been inspired by French growers who use limestone to the same effect.
While Trotter’s inaugural vintage remains an experiment, if the results are successful, he will seek investors in order to plant his entire 2.4-hectare site.
hello I am the opposite side of the Forth to you at North Berwick, do you take visitors?
Well done Chris Trotter!. I am from Scotland and now live in jersey were the food and wine has always been top priority!! My husband is from Madeira and has worked in the best hotels in the island – “as well as me “! – Hw was the Islands top Sommelier!).
He constantly talks about French and Spanish wines and in more recent years, South African etc and so far – not Scottish!! It was great for me to see from your website just how successful you have been and continue to be so I just want to say well done to you and I can now talk about how well sought after our Scottish wine actually is – well done and long may it continue. – Caroline Fernandes ~ nee Fisher
Hi Chris
Hope your wine is a great success, as I know how challenging it can be to grow grapes which can produce qaulity wine in difficult climates. I used to bottle spirits in Leven, so will be sure to look your vineyard up next time I am back home.
Wishing you every success!!
Archie
Hi Chris, hope all is going well with the wine??? Do you offer the option to adopt a vine????
Many thanks,
Garry
Cairn o’ Mohr has been making wine in Scotland since 1987. Is there some significant difference for this to be titled “the world’s first Scottish wine”?