Latvia

The Republic of Latvia (Latvian Latvijas Republika) with the capital Riga is the middle of the three Baltic states and covers 64,594 km². The former USSR-part state has been independent since 1991. Latvia borders Lithuania to the south, Belarus to the southeast, Russia to the east, Estonia to the north, and the Baltic Sea to the west. In the small town of Sabile in the center of the western Kurland Peninsula is the "Sabiles Vīna kalns" (Sabile Vineyard); this is the northernmost vineyard in the world at 57 degrees latitude with 1.5 hectares of vineyard area. The winegrowing tradition on this mountain dates back to the 16th century. An annual wine festival is held here.

Due to the cool climate and the short growing season, mainly Frost and early ripening grape varieties are cultivated. These include the white wine varieties Jubileinaja Novgoroda, Seyval Blanc, Solaris, and Zilga, as well as the red wine varieties Hasansky Sladky, Regent, and Rondo. Wine is made from grape, fruits, berries, and even floral. The vineyard areas cover only about 100 hectares. The annual wine production volume is around 20,000 hectoliters. Wineries include Abava, Aizbute, Drubazas, Durbes Veltes, Krimulda, Lauskis, Līgatne, Noble Wine, Sabile Cider, Tervetes, and Zilver. In Lithuania, beer and various spirit (herbal liqueur) are consumed more.

Map: © Goruma
Flag: by SKopp - Own work, Public domain, Link
Coat of Arms: by Zscout370, Public domain, Link
Sabiles Vīna kalns: by Mghamburg, CC BY 2.5, Link