📍 Zeeland

Zeeland is a coastal province in south-western Netherlands, in the delta of the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt. It is part of Dutch winemaking. The land consists of islands and peninsulas separated by channels and canals, and the nearby sea softens the climate.

The climate is oceanic and windy, with cool summers and mild winters. Thanks to the sea there are fewer frosts and the grapes get a long season. Soils are marine clay and sand. Vineyards are often on islands, for example on Schouwen-Duiveland.

Because of the climate, growers choose grapes resistant to fungal diseases. Popular are Solaris (a white bred in Germany that ripens well in cool places), Pinot Noir and others. Wines are white, red and rosé, plus sparkling. They are fresh with high acidity and suit the seafood Zeeland is famed for: mussels, oysters and lobster.

Dutch viticulture is young, but the number of estates is growing, and Zeeland is gradually appearing on the wine map. Belgium lies to the south and the province of South Holland to the north. Zeeland whites are served chilled with oysters, mussels, fish and seafood, for which the province is famous.