Short Review of The Economist article on Swedish wine from Kullabergs Vingård

A recent article in The Economist (18 August 2026) puts the spotlight on something I have been following with great interest for the past two years: the rise of Swedish wine from Skåne, which The Economist refers to as the “Nordic Tuscany”, while Visit Sweden calls Skåne and Österlen as Sweden’s Tuscany.

Climate change and Sweden’s long summer days are creating new possibilities for viticulture, while the rise of New Nordic cuisine has helped turn Skåne into an exciting gastronomic destination.

I was so glad to see Immelen, the white wine from Kullabergs Vingård, at the heart of The Economist story. I already wrote about this Swedish white wine in my Nobel Banquet article last year. Immelen 2022 was served at the Nobel Banquet in December 2025, the first Swedish still wine ever served at the banquet.

At the banquet, sommelier Ulrika Karlsson, selected wines from France, Sweden and Austria, giving each dish its own carefully chosen parings. Her choice of Immelen 2022 marked a historic moment for Swedish wine.

Immelen, a cuvée led by Solaris, with Souvignier Gris and Muscaris, already got attention when its 2021 vintage came as the winner of The Swedish Blind Tasting 2024.

The Economist then explains Systembolaget, Sweden’s equivalent of Norway’s Vinmonopolet. Systembolaget is Sweden’s state alcohol retail monopoly, acting as a quality-control mechanism. Combined with the introduction of limited cellar-door sales in 2025, Sweden’s young wine industry is entering a fascinating new chapter and I so much enjoy following its development.

Skåne may still be a young wine region, but it is certainly worth following.

Cin cin and skål!

Follow the link to read the full article in The Economist