Dutch wine facts for kids
Dutch wine is simply wine made in the Netherlands. Even though the Netherlands is a small country, making wine is becoming a popular part of its agriculture. Today, there are about 180 places that grow grapes and make wine to sell.
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History of Dutch Wine
It is thought that the Romans, who brought their crops with them, might have planted grapevines in Maastricht a long time ago.
The first time winemaking was mentioned in what is now the Netherlands was in the year 968.
Modern winemaking in the Netherlands only really started in the 1970s.
Where Dutch Wine is Made
Most of the vineyards in the Netherlands are in the provinces of Gelderland and Limburg. These vineyards cover about 160 hectares (which is about 400 acres).
You can also find vineyards in other parts of the Netherlands. These include North Brabant, North Holland, Zeeland, and even further north in Drenthe, Overijssel, and Groningen.
Climate and Grapes
The weather in the Netherlands is not always ideal for growing grapes. Because of this, popular international grapes like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are not grown very much there.
Types of Grapes Used in Dutch Wine
Dutch laws allow certain types of grapes to be used for making wine. Here are some of them:
White Grapes
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 Grapes
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
