Wine from Denmark? Gammel Dansk, Smørrebrød, Rød pølse, hot dogs, Stegt flæsk med persillesovs (pork with parsley sauce), Danish beer - all of these stand for Danish eating and drinking culture, but wine? Since 2000, Denmark has been recognized by the EU as a wine-producing country, making it the northernmost wine-growing region in Europe. With Jutland, Funen, Zealand and Bornholm, there are four wine-growing regions. Skål!
Solaris, Muscaris or Cabernet Cantor
The trip takes us to Zealand, more precisely to the Røsnæs peninsula near Kalundborg. The first winery we visit is the "Dyrehøj" estate. It was built in 1797, since 2008 wine has been planted here and it is now the largest winery in Denmark. The more than 35,000 plants produce six white wine varieties and 13 red wine varieties. The grapes are called Solaris, Muscaris or Cabernet Cantor. Tom Christensen, who runs the winery with his sister Betina Newberry, is a pig farmer by trade. "There's no deep thought behind it. I wanted to make wine - and I just started. That's how I usually do it. I'm impulsive and curious. Good ideas need to be realized. Later I realized that the conditions on Røsnæs are ideal for wine, which is a clear advantage and also one of the reasons for our success," Christensen says.
Use of chemicals is not necessary
The professional expertise on the estate comes from Italy. The cellar master is 32-year-old Italian Luca Filannino from Puglia, who studied at Geisenheim in Germany and worked in Australia. "The grapes in Denmark are different from those in southern countries," Filannino says. In addition, he says, the sandy soil here in Denmark is particularly well suited for growing grapes. "Rainwater percolates quickly, the wind from the Baltic dries the grapes faster and there are hardly any insects." That's why the use of chemicals is not necessary, he says. And this is not only honored by the numerous visitors to the estate, who can tap many wines directly from the automated system. The RÖS wines regularly win prizes.
First architect, then organic winemaker
On we go to the next vine grower. Lise and Povl Barfod worked as architects in Copenhagen, sold their office there and have been growing the first vines in Zealand since 2015. With biodynamic wines, they fill a niche in Danish viticulture. Their products comply with Demeter guidelines, in which the use of pesticides is minimized and synthetic chemical pesticides are completely banned. Their wines made from grape varieties Souvigner Gris, Solaris and Cabernet Cantor are well received. Numerous Michelin-starred restaurants in the Danish capital of Copenhagen are buyers of Barfod wines. The winery can be visited with guided tours, winemaking courses, "Wine + Pizza" evenings and "Wine & Tapas" evenings complete the offer at "Barfod Vin".
360- degree panorama over Storebælt and Samsø Bælt
But Zealand has much more to offer than winegrowing. We continue to the westernmost point of Røsnæs. The approximately 20-kilometer-long peninsula in the Great Belt is one of Denmark's sunniest areas. Vacationers who want to explore Røsnæs can take the hiking route "Røsnæs rundt" on marked routes of 1.5 to 25 kilometers to the most interesting points of the peninsula. The best view is from the white lighthouse, built in 1846, from which you get a 360-degree panorama over Storebælt and Samsø Bælt.
Visit to former "mill of the king
Another highlight of our visit is "Strids Mølle", once an old water mill and one of the five "King's Mills". Anders Møller runs the mill: "We had the grinder rebuilt according to old patterns". Those who wish can buy goods from the mill's own bakery or coffee roastery, linger in the café and watch the miller at work.
Information and tips
Information
For information on Denmark and the Zealand region, visit Visit Denmark.
Food & Drink
- Restaurant Næs at Strandhotel Røsnæs
- Skoemagerkroen from 1521, Danish dishes with local ingredients.
Overnight stay
- Strandhotel Røsnæs, in 2016 the hotel was completely restored and named "Denmark's best seaside hotel 2021".
- Hotel Strandparken in Holbæk
Note on our own behalf: This article was partly supported by tour operators, restaurants, hotels, airlines and/or tourism agencies. We attach great importance to independent and neutral reporting; therefore, the opinions, impressions and experiences of the respective authors correspond to their personal views.
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