Ancient amphorae (qvevri) in which the oldest wines were made

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Wijngaard met groene druivenrassen in rijen

Origins of Wine in the Benelux

Winegrowing in the Benelux has deeper roots than is often assumed. The first vineyards appeared in the region as early as Roman times. A recognisable pattern of development followed: medieval prosperity under the influence of monasteries, a prolonged decline caused by a colder climate and vine diseases, and a clear revival from the second half of the twentieth century onwards.

1. Luxembourg

Of the three Benelux countries, Luxembourg has the most continuous winegrowing tradition. The Moselle Valley in particular remained the beating heart of production throughout the centuries.

  • Origins: In the first centuries AD, the Romans laid the foundations for winegrowing on the steep slopes along the Moselle. Production served, among other purposes, to supply Roman garrisons.
  • Middle Ages: Abbeys played a key role in preserving the winemaking tradition and supported the further expansion of the vineyards.
  • Modern era: Unlike in the Netherlands and Belgium, winegrowing in Luxembourg's Moselle Valley never disappeared entirely. The establishment of the Institut Viti-Vinicole in Remich in 1925 gave the sector fresh impetus in terms of quality and professionalisation.

2. Belgium

  • Origins: In what is now Belgium, the Romans also introduced grape cultivation to the Gallic provinces. The clearest evidence of systematic local wine production dates from the early Middle Ages, when Benedictine monasteries produced sacramental wine.
  • Heyday: Between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, Belgian winegrowing reached its peak. Towns and castle owners had their own vineyards, particularly along the Meuse, Sambre and Jeker rivers, and in Hageland.
  • Decline: From the seventeenth century onwards, winegrowing went into decline. The Little Ice Age made cultivation more vulnerable, while beer gained ground. In the nineteenth century, the grape phylloxera epidemic (Phylloxera) dealt the sector another blow.
  • Revival: Modern Belgian winegrowing made a fresh start in 1962, when Jean Bellefroid replanted vines in Borgloon. Growth accelerated from the 1990s onwards, partly thanks to improved grape varieties and a warmer climate.

3. The Netherlands

  • Origins: In the Netherlands, early winegrowing was concentrated mainly around Maastricht and the Limburg section of the Meuse Valley, where the Romans introduced grapevines.
  • Heyday: During the Medieval Warm Period, winegrowing expanded further. By around 1500, vineyards could even be found as far north as the northern Netherlands.
  • Decline: The decline began in the sixteenth century. Colder summers made winegrowing more difficult, while hopped beer became cheaper and more popular. By around 1900, commercial winegrowing had virtually disappeared.
  • Revival: Dutch winegrowing began its comeback in 1967 with the Slavante vineyard on Sint-Pietersberg near Maastricht. From the 1990s onwards, fungus-resistant varieties such as Regent, Johanniter and Solaris made expansion into virtually every province possible.

Climate change has been an important factor in the revival of winegrowing in the Benelux, as has the development of more fungus-resistant grape varieties. As a result, so-called PIWI varieties are used more widely in these countries.

PIWI Varieties

PIWI varieties are fungus-resistant grape varieties developed specifically for winegrowing with reduced crop protection. PIWI is derived from the German term Pilzwiderstandsfähige Rebsorten, literally meaning fungus-resistant grape varieties.

In practice, this means:

  • Less susceptible to powdery mildew and downy mildew, two major diseases in humid winegrowing regions.
  • Fewer spray treatments are required, making them attractive for organic and sustainable winegrowing.
  • Suitable for cooler and wetter climates, such as those of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
  • They are often created by crossing classic European grape varieties with more resistant vine lines.

Examples of PIWI varieties include Solaris, Johanniter, Souvignier Gris, Cabernet Cortis, Regent, Rondo, Muscaris and Bronner.

PIWI varieties are important in the Benelux because the climate is relatively cool and humid. These varieties therefore allow wine producers to harvest ripe, healthy grapes more reliably, while using fewer chemical treatments.