Discover wine in the Netherlands
The Netherlands and wine: by no means an obvious combination, but appearances can be deceptive. This episode of our Orange Horizons podcast covers how the Netherlands has developed into a surprising and versatile wine country in a short period of time. From the hills of Limburg to the clay soils of Flevoland and the ancient raised mounds of the north, vineyards are springing up everywhere to produce local wines using care and innovation.
What started with pioneers in southern Limburg grew into a nationwide movement. Today, you can find winemakers throughout the Netherlands experimenting with grape varieties, soil types and sustainable techniques. The result is a wine landscape that is constantly evolving.
- Taste Dutch wines throughout the Netherlands.
- Meet innovative and sustainable winemakers.
- Discover surprising wine regions during your stay.
🎧Listen to the episode about wine in the Netherlands.
This modern viticulture emerged in the Maastricht area around 50 years ago, with pioneers such as Frits Bosch and Hugo Hulst. Inspired by experiments just across the border in Belgium, they laid the foundations for a sector that has now come of age.
Climate change is a big factor in this. While the Netherlands was long considered too cool and wet, more hours of sunshine and rising temperatures ensure that grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris ripen increasingly well here. At the same time, the weather also brings challenges, such as drought and heavy rainfall.
Loess, marl and shell layers
What makes Dutch wine special is its diversity of soils. From Limburg loess and marl to Zeeland's shell layers and Gelderland's sandy soils – each region imparts its own character to the wine. As a result, tastes and structures vary greatly from one area to another.
Since the 2000s, the introduction of new, climate-resistant grape varieties such as Solaris, Regent and Souvignier Gris has ensured rapid growth in the number of vineyards. These varieties are more disease-resistant and require fewer pesticides, making sustainable viticulture possible, even in the northern provinces.
Come and taste our wines
Interested in exploring this world? No need to look far. Scattered right across the country are vineyards where you are welcome for tastings, tours or even an overnight stay. Many wineries combine their production with catering or small-scale accommodation, so a visit quickly becomes a complete experience.
Wondering where to taste the best Dutch wines and how this young sector is developing? Listen to the episode using the player above or via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Podimo and Pocket Casts.
