Vastra Gotaland

Västra Götaland's vineyards look for sunny, well-drained ground. Slight west- or south-facing slopes help with warmth and air circulation when conditions are humid, across soils that include moraine, sand and clay-rich ground with gneiss and granite. Solaris is an important white grape here. Its dry wines can show citrus, apple, gooseberry and sometimes elderflower. Souvignier Gris, Muscaris and Donauriesling are also grown. Rondo, Regent, Cabernet Cortis and some early-ripening Pinot Noir clones make lighter red wines with pronounced acidity and red-berry aromas. Rosés are often dry and juicy. Sparkling wines are often made from Solaris, with the second fermentation taking place in a bottle or tank. Cool stainless-steel fermentation is common, while some producers also work with older oak barrels, partial malolactic fermentation to soften acidity, skin-contact wines and pét-nat, bottled during fermentation.