Revival of viticulture in Belgium

Revival of viticulture in Belgium

After almost disappeared in the eighteenth century ,the Belgian wine is enjoying a renaissance since the second half of the twentieth century.

The cultivation of the vine in Belgium appeared in the Middle Ages around the ninth century. It is unlikely that the vine was present before because the climate was not suitable and Gaul was covered with thick forests , however, in the fourth century , the vineyards of Paris were mentioned. From that time, the vine spread to the north and in the eighth century , the Rhine were covered with vineyards. The first trials of viticulture in Belgium had to be done at the same time

The first people who cultivated the vine were monks because they needed for their celebrations, a pure and healthy drink (that is to say, a drink that was not likely to contaminate citizens by rainwater polluted ) and wine meet their expectations . That is why the first vineyards were owned by abbeys. Some had even better organized far from their territory.

On the other hand , the vine was also grown by individuals and even lords , as the Dukes of Burgundy who owned vineyards Brussels , Leuven, Aarschot, Namur and Mons .
Belgium already had a wine industry there is a siècle.après a long period of indifference.

Belgian wine reappeared in recent years.

Wine culture gradually returns to its place in the beer area

The choice of varieties in Belgium headed for red hybrid Leon Millot from Lorraine and white Sirius and Phoenix of German origin and Bianca of Hungarian origin .

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Müller -Thurgau . The rest is divided in other Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gamay , Leon Millot and Seyval Blanc Currently ,

Belgians have their own original applelation controlled for Hageland ,
AOC recognized 1997une region located in the triangle formed by Louvain , Diest and Tienen, in the province of Brabant

Have been cultivating vines since the twelfth century*

The Viticulture Hageland located so far north , is due in part to the location of the vineyards on the hills , the soil consists of sand and ferruginous layer , but Hageland would not have been successful without the determination to a handful of passionate winegrowers .
After 28 years of effort, the dream was realized ,

Other wine regions

Vine is also grown in Wijngaerd Wijngaard Kartuierhof Borgloon , and in Limburg to Winjkasteel Genoels - Elderen Riemst which produces Chardonnay

Wallonia on a former coal mine in Castle Trazegnies , these recent vine that is twenty years , it will have to wait before knowing the value of these vine Belgians

The grapes used are adapted to these latitudes as Müller -Thurgau , Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, Kerner , Riesling, and Sieger for black grapes have found the Dornfelder , Pinot Noir , and Gamay .
The results obtained with the Chardonnay were encouraging