Wine Wednesday: Dutch Wine

As wine lovers, one of our favorite things to do is seek out unique wines or wine-related experiences. So imagine my excitement when I learned that The Netherlands produces Dutch wine! There are actually over 200 vineyards in The Netherlands, though most producers are very small and make wine as a hobby.
I visited Wijnhoeve De Colonjes in Groesbeek, which started out with just one acre in 2000. Wine maker Freek was working at the local university when he started the wine farm as a hobby. He made his first wine in 2005 and won a bronze medal in a competition in Germany for wines made from the Regent grape. These days, Wijnhoeve De Colonjes has 10 different varieties of grapes planted on 13.5 hectares and produces around 120,000 bottles of Dutch wine each year. Even more impressive, Freek’s wines have won multiple gold medals in various competitions.

We were treated to a farm lunch made completely from organic and local ingredients with a beautiful view of the vineyards. The bread on the massive sandwiches, which were as big as an 9″ round cake, was homemade locally and all the meat and vegetables are from local farms. It was delicious and paired perfectly with a rosé called Belle de Colonjes Brut.

After a bit of delicious farm fresh food, we got down to the business of tasting wine. I’m not usually much of a white wine drinker, but I absolutely loved Knapse Witte 2010, a blend made from Helios and Riesel grapes (both hybrids of the Riesling grape). It had nice acidity and was very light. It would pair well with goat cheese, salads, chicken, or fish and is a great summertime sipping wine.

Harvested when the grapes aren’t quite ripe yet, the Cabernet Blanc 2011 had interesting aromas of grass and fruit. It actually tastes like green peppers a bit. It’s quite unique and is definitely a wine to drink with food like veal, pastas with cream sauces, or Asian dishes like stir fry.

I also enjoyed the Rosé Frederique 2012, named after the wine maker’s daughter. It is made from the Regent de Cabernet grape and the rosé color comes from the production process. The skins of the grapes are left on initially for the first few hours until the wine achieves the desired color. It had hints of peach, raspberry, and blueberry and is another delicious and refreshing summertime wine.

The reds were each better than the red before. The Regent 2011, produced from 100% Regent grapes, has tastes of vanilla and black cherry.  The Recortis 2011, a blend of Regent and Cabernet Cortis, followed. Scents of licorice wafted up from my glass and the taste is unique. It pairs well with grilled steaks or barbecue. The Cabernet Cortis 2009 is similar, but with a deeper taste. It ages in German oak for 18 months and tastes of vanilla and much more pronounced licorice than the Recortis 2011.

I would have loved to bring home several bottles of Dutch wine, but had to chose just one. It was the Cabernet Cortis that ultimately stole my heart.

Know Before You Go

• Guided tours of Wijnhoeve De Colonjes are available to taste Dutch wine by appointment. A guided visitor and tasting takes around 2.5 – 3 hours and is €11 per person.
• Wijnhoeve De Colonjes also hosts an open day each year in which the winery officially opens for the season. Their Wine Train runs from the market square in Groesbeek to the farm.
• Wijnhoeve De Colonjes Dutch wine is sold locally at the vineyard and in some shops and restaurants. It is also sold online.

Thank you to Visit Holland for hosting me in Groesbeek and to Wijnhoeve De Colonjes for the fantastic visit! As always, all opinions are entirely our own.