London - He is a long way from the sun-soaked vineyards of Italy or France.
But a wine enthusiast in Fife has managed to produce Scotland’s very first home- grown vintage.
Unfortunately for grower Christopher Trotter, the white has been described as “undrinkable” by experts.
Mr Trotter, from Aberdeen, had hoped to defy Scotland’s wet climate and set up a vineyard in Upper Largo, on the southern coast of Fife.
There has been international interest in his project and the first bottles of his Chateau Largo were keenly awaited.
But Mr Trotter has admitted his first vintage is not exactly a corker. However, he has maintained a glass-half-full attitude.
“It’s not great,” he said. “We have produced a vintage of, shall we say, a certain quality. But I’m confident the next will be much better. We have proved we can grow grapes in the Scottish climate.”
Richard Meadows, the owner of Great Grog wine merchants in Edinburgh, was among the first to sample the wine, which has been compared to rose or sherry. He said: “It has potential. It doesn’t smell fresh but it’s crisp and light and structurally it’s fine. It’s not yet drinkable but, that said, I enjoyed it in a bizarre, masochistic way.”
The wine is also said to have “nutty notes” that might complement a “very strong cheese”.
Mr Trotter, who trained at the Savoy Hotel in London as a chef and hotelier, decided to plant the vines three years ago after studies showed that global warming could give Fife the ideal climate for growing grapes in the next few decades.
Last year his vines basked in sunshine while more than 1 600 acres of French vineyards were hit by bad weather, including huge hailstones.
Mr Trotter believes his mistake with this vintage was not chilling the grapes quickly enough after they were picked. This allowed oxidation to occur - which ruins a wine’s flavour, colour and aroma.
For his next harvest, he may use dry ice to lock in the fruitiness of the grapes, which should produce a better taste.
“My wine will never be like a Chablis,” he said. “But the aim is to produce a good-quality table wine and I believe that can be achieved. We have had a terrific spring and the vines are looking fantastic.”
Daily Mail