Finland could very well see its very own vineyards in the coming years, depending on if it is able to tackle EU regulations.
Wine made from grapes grown in Finland cannot be labelled as "wine" on the label because Finland is not a wine producing country under EU regulations. Instead, the bottle label can say "mild alcoholic beverage produced from grapes by fermentation".
Petri Halmetoja, proprietor of the Brinkhall Sparkling cider house in Halikko told Yle that if Finland were to officially become a wine country, he would make sparkling wine from grapes.
At the moment Halmetoja specialises in a sparkling apple cider-like drink that resembles sparkling wine, but claimed he could produce a sparkling wine using similar methods to champagne production.
Climate change favourable for Finnish vineyards
Climate change has lengthened the growing season and raised the average temperature in Finland. This has increased the willingness of many vineyards to grow grapes and make wine from their harvest.
"There are already grape varieties that can withstand Finland's climate conditions. The Finnish soil is also favourable for cultivation," Halmetoja shared with Yle.
Climate change predictions are not so favourable for Southern Europe, where in the next century it is likely to be too hot to produce wine. Dryness has already been a problem for many Mediterranean vineyards.
"Northern regions may become more profitable areas for wine production, Halmetoja speculated.
Most Finnish wineries currently make wine from berries or fruit. However, wines made from anything other than grapes are not considered authentic wines, and they capture only a small share of the market.
Of the 25 or so vineyards in Finland, only a few produce wine from grapes.
Wine countries cannot self-declare
An EU member state may only produce wine for commercial purposes if it is listed as a wine country, or falls within an EU wine growing zone.
That would be easy if Finland could declare itself a wine country. This cannot be done, but must be applied for within the European Union.
"Before the actual application process, a group, such as wine producers, must submit an initiative to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry," said Leena Seppä, an advisory official at the agricultural ministry.
"A careful survey of vineyards should also be carried out to determine the potential production volumes of grape wine and the conditions for producing grape wine in line with EU requirements. This could then be followed by an application to the EU," Seppä noted.
EU wine legislation is very precise in defining, for example, the authorised grape varieties, wine-making practices and product labelling. After the wine country designation, grape wines should be produced in Finland according to the same methods as in Spain, Italy or France.
"Elsewhere in Europe, wine production is studied at universities," Seppä clarified.
However, it is possible to apply for wine country status if various stakeholders, such as wineries, stores and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, saw it as advantageous.
The actual wine country title would be approved in the EU by regulation. After that, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) would supervise wineries that produce wine from grapes. This would ensure that farms comply with the EU's strict and complex grape wine regulations.
"I don't think there will be any obstacles to the status in the end, if we just want it together," Seppä said.