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Norway hots up for international wine brands

10 July 2023 By Sarah Neish

The Norwegian market is becoming increasingly fast-paced, and global wine brands are pivoting to respond to this. One such brand, the Languedoc-based Bijou, is gearing its latest product release specifically to Norwegian consumers.

Crafted near the town of Limoux, Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose Pinot Noir has been produced with Norwegian consumers in mind, drawing on recent data from Wine Intelligence to supply the wine drinkers of Norway with their preferred wine style.

As the Wine Intelligence report suggests, the ever-growing demographic of Norwegian millennial wine drinkers stipulate that their ideal red would “include smooth or well-bodied characteristics”, instead of a red wine that is, for example, more complex.

Additionally, Norwegian consumption of red wine, particularly Pinot Noir, is increasing rapidly with Norwegian ‘Boomer’ drinkers accounting for “almost half of all regular wine drinkers”, according to the research.

For this reason, Bijou has carefully hand-harvested Pinot Noir grapes from the Haute Vallée l’Aude, near the picturesque town of Limoux at the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees. The grapes are taken from vineyards situated at around 400m-450m above sea level, which helps to create a natural amphitheatre and a unique microclimate with just enough heat and sunshine for viticulture.

The wider diurnal range and longer growing seasons in this area ensure that the Pinot Noir reaches optimal phenolic ripeness while preserving its delicate acidity and fresh red fruit flavours.

The limestone-gravelly soils in this area are also well suited to late-ripening varieties, particularly Pinot Noir, as they help produce wines with a noticeably higher acidity than clay.

Grapes are destemmed and gently crushed before undergoing fermentation for 20 days, aged on fine lees at low temperatures to best preserve the well-bodied aromas of ripe red berries and kirsch, as well as crafting the silky texture and lively acidity that Norwegian wine drinkers prefer.

Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose Pinot Noir is already available to buy in premium on-trade locations in Oslo.

The vegan-friendly wine has achieved High Environmental Value certification (HVE3), proving Bijou’s dedication to sustainability by maintaining the vital
biodiversity in the vineyards.

The name of the wine itself evokes the local legend of Sophie Valrose who fought for wine workers’ rights in vineyards at the turn of the last century. Bijou is committed to paying homage to the unsung women of wine, like Sophie, who has made wine production in Languedoc possible for centuries.

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