The wine culture in Sweden is expanding, especially with the increase of vineyards in Skåne in the south of the country. In fact, 42% of all alcohol sales in Sweden consist of wine, and this is very different from brännvin, the traditional Swedish drink that translates as burn-wine. You can of course buy wine from the state owned Systembolaget. However, the only other place that you can buy wine and enjoy a glass is in licenced restaurants and bars that serve food. There are some great restaurants in Stockholm that unite their food and wine menu in perfect harmony, taking equal consideration to both.
Sushi Sho
Sushi Sho (Upplandsgatan 45) serves sushi with a twist, using a mix of ingredients from Stockholm and Europe. There is just one menu to choose from Tsusmami and Omakase – nigiri sushi and small dishes. If you want to eat at Sushi Sho, you will have to book well in advance, as there are 16 seats. There is an excellent sake and wine list that perfectly compliments each dish – but you wouldn’t expect anything less from a Michelin-starred restaurant. In particular there is a fine selection of champagnes for that special treat with fresh fish.
W by Wijnjas
W by Wijnjas (Scheelegatan 3) is a classic wine cellar restaurant, with and enormous wine list to delight even the most fussy connoisseur. They offer some great wine and cheese tasting events where you can learn how to pair wine with different tastes, from rich blues, to soft cheeses made from unpasteurised Swedish milk. The raclette of course is extremely popular, but there are plenty of other non-dairy dishes to try with your wine, including a rich lobster soup and prawns with a saffron rice, which go particularly well with a summery white wine.
La Colline
La Colline (Götgatan 29), has a big focus on natural wines, paired beautifully with food from the Mediterranean. The menu is simple, but refined – moules-frites, risottos, entrecote and oysters served by the half dozen. These are paired sensitively with wines made by small producers. You won’t find any Systembolaget wine served at your table. Everything has been hand-picked by the experienced sommelier Anna Mellfors. La Colline is a great restaurant for those that love simplicity and good taste.
There is nothing more joyful than a good meal, made with quality produce and paired with a glass of wine. In Stockholm you can visit some excellent restaurants that focus equally on both.
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