Hurtigruten Recovers 4,500 Bottles of Sparkling Wine from the Norwegian Sea
Hurtigruten has successfully retrieved 4,500 bottles of sparkling wine that spent the past six months submerged in the Norwegian Sea.
The bottles are part of Hurtigruten’s innovative “Bubbles from the Sea” program, initially launched in late 2022 with 1,700 bottles. Building on its success, the cruise line submerged an additional 4,500 bottles in December near Kirkenes, Norway.
The program is an extension of Hurtigruten’s commitment to its Norway’s Coastal Kitchen concept, where over 80% of onboard ingredients are sourced locally. To add a unique Norwegian twist to wine, which cannot be sourced from the coast, Hurtigruten employs underwater aging to enhance its flavors.
The latest batch was submerged 112 feet deep off Bugøynes, benefiting from the Norwegian Sea’s cold temperatures and stable underwater conditions. According to Tani Gurra, Hurtigruten’s Front of House and Beverage Director, “The cooler temperatures of waters such as the Norwegian Sea are even better suited to sparkling wines, enhancing structure, effervescence, and overall taste profile.”
The wine used in the program is a 2018 Classic Cuvee crafted using traditional methods from hand-harvested pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay grapes by Rathfinny Wine Estate in Sussex, England. This year’s batch comprises 4,200 0.7-liter bottles and 300 1.5-liter Magnum bottles.
Hurtigruten plans to serve the recovered sparkling wine onboard its voyages and offer guests the opportunity to purchase it for their enjoyment at home.
Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten, remarked, “Storing sparkling wine at the bottom of the sea under favorable conditions has created a unique taste experience that sets our product apart. Innovation and creativity are crucial in our industry, and we will continue exploring new ways to deliver exceptional products.”
Looking ahead, Hurtigruten intends to expand the program further, increasing the number of submerged bottles to 5,000 in September at a new undisclosed location.