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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.

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.


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