Belgium

Belgien
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In the 9th Century under the Emperor Charlemagne operated (742-814) of monks in what is now southern Belgium viticulture. At the Maas (who was also an important transport route), there were vineyards around the towns of Antwerp, Brabant, Henne gau, Liege and Naumur. Still in the early Middle Ages were wines from Flanders (now the two Belgian provinces of East and West Flanders, the remainder is located in France) in high esteem and the center of the northern European Wine Trade . In the 15th Century, was then abandoned due to climate change and competition from the French Burgundy wine-growing. The vineyards today cover only about 30 acres and were created in the 1970s (around the capital Brussels). In the year 1997 was defined by the Flemish Aarschot Hageland the first official growing region, which encompasses 25 acres. More like Huy near Liege are planned. There are 15 authorized grape varieties, including Muller-Thurgau, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and new breeds such as German optima. The native Leopold III., Maréchal Joffre and Loonse Vroege are not among them. In 2007 2.000 hectoliters were produced, while it was mainly dry white wine. The wine needs to be met mainly by imports from France. In greenhouses table grape drawn.