Dutch wine

Wineries in theJeker Valley(Jekerdal) in the border area betweenMaastricht,Netherlands, andKanne,Belgium

Dutch wine(Dutch:Nederlandse wijn) iswinemade in theNetherlands.Although a small producer of wine, it is nowadays a strong growing branch of Dutchagriculture.Currently, the country has 180 commercialvineyards.

History

It is assumed that Romans who were used to bring their crops along with them could have successfully planted grapevine in Maastricht, called Traiectum ad Mosam.

The first mentioning ofviniculturein what is now the Netherlands dates back to 968.

Modern production of wine was started in the 1970s.

Wine regions of the Netherlands

VineyardAldenborghinEys,Limburg

Most of the Dutch vineyards, collectively measuring 160 ha (2007), are to be found in the provinces ofGelderlandandLimburg.In addition, there are vineyards inNorth Brabant,North Holland,Zeelandand more in northernDrenthe,OverijsselandGroningen.

Climate

Because of the unfavourable Dutch climate, the classic international grapesMerlotandCabernet Sauvignonare not planted on a large scale.

Grapes

The following grape varieties are permitted by the applicable legislation (Verordening HPA Wijn 2009):

White

Auxerrois,Bacchus,Bianca,Chardonnay,Faber,Gewürztraminer,Hölder,Huxelrebe,Johanniter,Juwel,Kerner,Kernling,Merzling,Morio Muscat,Müller Thurgau,Orion,Ortega,Phoenix,Pinot blanc,Pinot gris/Ruländer,Rayon d'or,Reichensteiner,Riesling,Sauvignon blanc,Scheurebe,Schönburger,Seyval,Siegerrebe,Silcher,Solaris,Sylvaner,Würzer

Red

Cabernet Franc,Domina,Dornfelder,Dunkelfelder,Florental,Frühburgunder,Gamay,Landal 244 N,Léon Millot,Maréchal Foch,Meunier,Pinot noir,Plantet,Portugiezer,Regent,Rondo,St. Laurent,Triomphe d'Alsace,Zweigeltrebe

References

• Nederlandse wijnproeverij

See also

• Winemaking