In an unexpected move, Norway has announced that it is to join the list of the world's wine-producing countries. Based around the northern village of Ugotterby, the new wine-producing venture will begin bottling its own wine next year, reports www.bbr.com.

It came as a surprise to many in the wine world that Norway could get grapes to ripen so far north, but as the Norwegian Minister for Vinous Affairs, Loof Lirpa, explained, "Our long sunny summers, when it doesn't ever get dark, make up for the low temperature by exposing the grapes to as much sunshine as they would see in Tuscany."

As well as the usual suspects such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay the Norwegians have planted the indigenous Jorking variety. The Ugotterby winery is hoping to have bottles of its own Jorking on store shelves by the beginning of next April.