19 Apr '19

Warm weather drives Belgian wine production skyward

Summary

The lack of rain and soaring temperatures were problematic for many Flemish farmers last year, but winegrowers saw a boom in production

 

Two million litres

Belgium produced twice as much wine in 2018 as in 2017, according to figures released by the federal economy ministry. While the amount of land being devoted to grapes has steadily increased over the last few years, the main reason for the boom was the unseasonably warm weather.

Belgium’s 134 vineyards bottled a total of two million litres of wine last year compared to one million the year before. “It was a remarkably good harvest,” said federal economy minister Kris Peeters. “The wine industry is dependent on the quality of the grapes and the climate in which they grow.”

A small majority of the volume of wine comes from Wallonia, while Flanders counts a slightly larger number of vineyards. Most Belgian wines – some 80% – are white and sparkling varieties. The other 20% include both red and rose.

Some vineyards in Limburg fall under the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin label, ensuring quality production in the region indicated. “That has a positive effect on wine production,” said Peeters.

Anyone looking for a good Belgian wine can start with the website Popsss, which features wines from Belgium and from other vineyards in the world run by Belgians.

Photo courtesy Visit Limburg

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