Latgale

Overview

Latgale lies in Latvia's far east, far enough from the Baltic Sea to feel a pronounced continental climate. Winters are the coldest in the country, with temperatures in Daugavpils often dropping lower than on the coast, while summers are warm but brief. The landscape is a patchwork of forests, farmland, and thousands of lakes that moderate spring frosts on the most favorable sites.

Viticulture is experimental and tiny in scale, so fruit winemaking and mead remain the backbone of the regional drinks scene. Hardy berries such as blackcurrant and cranberry grow well in the cool, damp soils, while a few growers trial very early-ripening white hybrids like Hasanski Sladki and Solaris on sheltered plots.

Key Varietals

• Hasanski SladkiA Russian-bred white grape that tolerates severe winters and yields simple, floral, early-ripening wines.
• SolarisA very early-ripening white hybrid that stands the best chance of reaching flavor before autumn cold arrives.
• BlackcurrantHardy blackcurrants produce tart, deeply colored berry wines typical of small Latgale estates.
• CranberryNative bog cranberries are turned into bright, tangy fruit wines that suit the region's cool, lake-filled landscape.