📍 Gelderland

Gelderland is a province in the eastern Netherlands, near the German border, with the cities of Nijmegen and Arnhem. It has hilly sandy land, forests and the floodplains of the Waal, the Rhine and the Meuse. The landscape is unusual for the country: not a flat plain but gentle hills left by glaciers. The climate is maritime, cool and damp, but south-facing slopes warm up well.

Winemaking in Gelderland is young; it began mostly at the end of the 20th century and is growing today. It is an unofficial wine area, since only a few winegrowing districts are officially defined in the Netherlands. There are few vineyards, lying in small plots in areas such as Rivierenland, the Achterhoek and Winterswijk.

Because of the cold climate, grapes resistant to disease and frost are chosen: Solaris, Johanniter, Rondo and other hybrids, as well as Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. Wines are white, red, rosé and sparkling, often high in acidity, fresh and light.

For comparison with its neighbours: to the south lies Limburg with the protected designation Maasvallei, to the east the German lands of the Lower Rhine, and to the west Utrecht.