Grapes of the North

Question 9: a) Reflect on our Field Study to Kelleris and b) discuss the important ways in which wine has and continues to play a role in human society and culture.

Believe it or not, Denmark produces wine. Yes, it's a little bit shocking. With a cold climate similar to Canada or Maine, it seems impossible that grapes are successfully grown in this tiny country. Indeed, the cold and rainy day of our field study was so wholly unimpressive that it seemed impossible that the stubby vines could have produced anything at all just a month or two earlier. Wine is traditionally most successful in Italy and France - not Denmark. However, due to modern innovations in vineyard science, it is possible (though difficult and relatively expensive) to produce wine in this northern european country. Commercial production wasn't actually legalized until 1999 but since then, the market has become significant. Søren Hartvig Jensen was one of the first winemakers in Denmark - he established Kelleris Vineyard in 2001, located in Northern Zealand. He taught us how the plants have been cross bred in order to thrive in a cooler climate, as well as avoid the fungal infection brought from North America. 

Kelleris Vineyard on a rainy November day.

Viticulture is no simple science. Rather, producing wine is incredibly complicated and demands a lot of patience. It is an ancient practice - dating back to 6,000 B.C. in Georgia. Wine was celebrated in Ancient Rome and Greece. Most notably, Dionysus is the Greek god (aka Bacchus in Roman mythology) of the grape harvest, winemaking, theatre, and festivity. Known as a jovial character, the fact that he was worshipped is a testament to the importance of wine in early Greek culture. Wine is also important in Christian religion as a symbol of the Christ's blood in communion. It is also included in Jewish religious practices. In fact, on Passover during the Seder, it is a Rabbinic obligation of adults to dink four cups of wine. Islam is actually the only major world religion that doesn't value wine (alcoholic beverages are forbidden under most interpretations of Islamic law). 

Dionysus, Greek god of wine. 

It is actually encouraged to drink wine by medical professionals. While excessive consumption of alcohol is obviously detrimental to one's health, a glass of wine a night is generally acknowledged to have certain cardiovascular benefits. 

Of course, Denmark's favorite Christmastime beverage is mulled wine, or gløgg, so it is appropriate that Denmark produce some of it's own wine. Be sure to taste gløgg at the Christmas Markets all over Copenhagen or make some yourself with the recipe link above. Also try Æbleskiver, which is paired perfectly with gløgg. 

Gløgg and Æbleskiver, traditional Danish Christmas treats.

Sources: 
Photo 1 - personal picture
Photo 2 - http://cf.ltkcdn.net/wine/images/std/111009-417x288-Dionysus.jpg
Photo 3 - http://www.denstoredanske.dk/@api/deki/files/69952/=aebleskiver_B.jpg?size=webview