Årø Vingård Redwine 2018 Danish Red Wine 75 cl 12%

Out in the Lillebælt strait, where the current splits Haderslev Fjord from Assens, lies Årø – 600 hectares of Danish island life, with fewer than 200 year-round residents, apple trees and salt air. This is where the grapes for this red wine grow, and 2018 was one of the years the Danish summer truly delivered.

Expert's Description

Årø Vingård Rødvin 2018 is a Red Wine from Årø in Denmark made from Léon Millot, Rondo and Regent grapes, bottled at 12% ABV.

The vineyard was founded in 2004 by Svend Aage, who planted the first 125 vines after visiting a winegrower in Christiansfeld. By 2007 it had grown to 2,200 vines, and bottles went on sale from 2008. Today it's Jakob and Lisbeth Leij who run the place – they took over just before the 2015 harvest and have since expanded to 5,600 vines, alongside 1,200 apple trees. Léon Millot, Rondo and Regent are hybrid varieties bred to cope with the Danish climate, and together they produce a red wine with more colour and body than you might expect this far north. 2018 was a warm vintage in Denmark, and the wine's ripeness shows it.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Blackcurrant and blueberry lead the way, with a touch of cherry stone and a faint, toasted note from the subtle oak influence.

Palate

Light yet surprisingly full-bodied – the berry character carries through, the tannins are soft and well judged, giving a pleasant structure without ever feeling heavy.

Finish

Clean and fruity, with a calm trail of dark berries and a discreet hint of oak.

Serving & Food Pairing

Serve at 16-18°C in a standard red wine glass – no decanting needed. It pairs well with lighter grilled dishes, poultry and veal, but also works nicely on its own after dinner. Drink it now for the fruit-forward style, or give it 1-3 years and it opens up a little further.

Specifications

Name: 2018
Producer/Winery: Årø Vingård
Region/Country: Årø, Denmark
Grape Variety(ies): Léon Millot, Rondo, Regent
Vintage: 2018
ABV: 12%
Size: 75 CL
Vegan: No
Serving Temperature: 16-18°C
Decanting Recommended: No
Glass Type: Red Wine Glass

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Berry · Medium-bodied · Soft Tannin · Subtle Oak

Did You Know?

Årø has fewer than 200 permanent residents – yet the vineyard alone draws around 20,000 visitors to the island every year.

See our full range of Årø Vingård

Frequently Asked Questions about Årø Vingård Rødvin 2018

What does Årø Vingård Rødvin 2018 taste like?

You'll find blackcurrant and blueberry on both nose and palate, with a touch of cherry stone and a light, discreet oak note. The tannins are soft, so the wine feels light without losing body.

What grapes is the wine made from?

Léon Millot, Rondo and Regent – three hybrid varieties bred specifically to handle the Danish climate.

What temperature should the wine be served at?

16-18°C is ideal. The wine does not need decanting.

Can the wine be kept, or should it be drunk now?

It drinks well now, but also has the potential to develop further over the next 1-3 years.

What makes Danish red wine from Årø different?

The climate on Årø is cooler than in the classic wine countries, so the vineyard uses hybrid varieties like Léon Millot, Rondo and Regent, bred to ripen in a Nordic climate while still delivering colour and body.

What food goes well with this wine?

Lighter grilled dishes, poultry and veal are good matches. It can also be enjoyed on its own, without food.