A Sparkling Surprise from Sveavägen.
On August 8th, our curiosity-led wander through Systembolaget on Sveavägen in Stockholm turned into a delightful surprise. Tucked among the well-known classics was the re-launch of a Swedish sparkling wine: Grand Prix from Skepparps Vingård.
As Italian-rooted food lovers, our first knee-jerk reaction was, “Swedish wine? Naaa…” But what’s life without a dash of open-mindedness? We grabbed a bottle.
Italian Terroirs We Know our wine love is shaped by rugged landscapes: Piedmont’s noble vineyards, Trentino’s alpine slopes, and Lombardy’s gentle hills. In Piedmont, Metodo Classico shines in expressive sparklers like Totocorde by Cocchi, made from 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, aged meticulously in cellars for four years—an elegant, pure expression of Alta Langa’s terroir.
Head north-east and the Trentino region greets you with a cooler, mountain-influenced climate. Its vineyards, often perched at high altitude, benefit from crisp alpine air by night and sunshine by day, producing sparklers with remarkable freshness and minerality. The Trento DOC appellation has been quietly building a reputation for precise, long-lived Metodo Classico wines that can stand beside more famous sparkling regions.
Travel west to Franciacorta in Lombardy and you find a terroir born of glacial hills and lake-cooled air—gravel-rich soil over limestone that brings finesse to Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir. Producer Ca’ del Bosco helped shape the region’s DOCG prestige, pioneering sparkling wines that are rich, creamy, and alive with a sense of place.
A Narrative Tasting: What We found in Grand Prix
Back to our living room: cork popped, bubbles rising—fine, steady, unassuming. The first swirl offered a scent of crisp green apple, a hint of lemon zest, subtle floral notes, and just a whisper of something herbaceous—like a breeze off a Skåne morning.
We are wine lovers, not expert judges, so instead of dissecting technical tasting notes, we simply followed what our senses told us. There was a friendly acidity—present but never sharp—giving the wine a refreshing backbone. The bubbles were gentle, elegant, not racing but gliding upward with composure. Each sip carried a brightness that felt lively without being loud, and as it lingered, there was this clean, almost meadow-fresh aftertaste that quietly invited another sip.
Pairing test (That Actually Works)
Let’s be honest: sparkling wine with lasagna isn’t something we grew up doing. In Italy, we’d go straight for a red—Barbera, Nebbiolo, maybe even Sangiovese. But every tradition needs a moment of gentle rebellion.
We tried Grand Prix with our Lasagna Bolognese—rich ragù, nutty béchamel, melty cheese layered in cozy perfection. And you know what? It worked beautifully. The bubbles cut through the richness, the acidity brought freshness, and the herbal finish held hands with the savory ragù. The balance was spot on: the wine’s brightness met the dish’s hearty flavors halfway, lifting them without washing them out. It was a pairing that felt both surprising and strangely meant to be.
Terroir Talks: Italian Hills vs. Swedish Shores
Italian wine regions come with centuries of winemaking under their belt. Their vineyards rest on tried-and-true methods, micro-climates, and well-measured challenges. They’ve mastered the art of coaxing complexity from their terroirs over generations.
Swedish wine is still writing its story—shorter seasons, evolving climate, new grape choices like Solaris or Souvignier Gris. But that also means the pioneering spirit is strong here. Winemakers in Sweden are not bound by centuries of rigid tradition; they can experiment, adapt, and define their own signature styles. It’s about carving identity, not preserving legacy.
Why We’ll Keep Exploring Swedish Wine
We’re not just curious—we want to try them all. Every bottle is like a postcard from a new landscape, each sip a fresh experiment in the glass. Supporting these makers feels like rooting for underdogs in a beautiful, unfolding story. We want to see what the sparkling wines of Skåne taste like in a few years, how still whites evolve, whether they’ll dare to craft a Swedish red that truly sings.
Final Thoughts (and a toast)
We’ll say it plainly: we loved the experience. Will we pick Grand Prix for every lasagna dinner? Yes, of course—especially the lighter, vegetable-laden ones, but also with the right rich lasagna like our Bolognese, where the freshness and bubbles dance perfectly with the ragù and cheese.
At Lasagnariet, we believe life is made of layers—sometimes it’s pasta and béchamel, sometimes it’s unexpected bubbles from Skåne. Here’s to embracing curiosity, new terroirs, and raising a glass of Grand Prix—Sweden’s sparkling voice—to whatever tasty layer comes next.
Layers or bubbles? Absolutely both !
Lasagnariet.
