Scandinavia

Scandinavia, part of northern Europe which includes norway, sweden, denmark, Finland, and Iceland (the first two of these being new recruits to vine-growing since the last edition of this book). Of these countries, only Denmark has a liberal attitude towards alcoholic drinks and their sale. Elsewhere wine has been sold by state monopolies, which has had the effect of restricting choice. High levels of taxation have made the lot of the Scandinavian wine drinker even harder, although Scandinavian cellars provide famously good, if slow, conditions for wine bottle ageing. The climate may make grape ripening difficult, but can be excellent for storing wine.