Poland's Wine Secret: From Vodka to Vintage

Poland is experiencing a viticultural renaissance, shifting perceptions from a nation known primarily for vodka and lager to a burgeoning wine producer. This revival, catalyzed by a loosening of laws in 2008, has seen the establishment of over 600 wineries across all 16 Polish regions, with a concentration in the southeastern and southwestern areas. These modern wineries are producing unpretentious, expressive wines, moving away from older, sickly-sweet memories associated with "Polish wine."

Hardy hybrid grape varieties like solaris and hibernal are planted to withstand harsh winters, complemented by classic vinifera varieties such as riesling and pinot noir, which are increasingly viable in a warming climate. Polish wines are now appearing on restaurant menus in London and Edinburgh, and are being imported into the UK by a dedicated sommelier who supplies numerous high-profile chefs and independent wine shops.

Producers like Dom Bliskowice, Kamil Barczentewicz, and Winnica Silesian are gaining recognition. For example, Maciej Sondij of Dom Bliskowice crafts earthy, herbaceous skin-contact wines, while Winnica Silesian, run by the Mazurek family with Danish oceanographer Esben Madsen, produces playful reds and whites. Adam Michocki, the UK's sole Polish wine importer, notes the crisp nature of these wines aligns with current UK consumer preferences.