The Netherlands is one of Europe's youngest wine countries, and one of its most quietly exciting. This is cool-climate territory: crisp, aromatic whites and fine traditional-method sparkling, grown mostly on the rolling limestone slopes of southern Limburg. Alongside the wine sits a far older Dutch craft, the juniper spirit genever that went on to give the world gin.
Cool-climate Dutch whites and sparkling from Limburg
Modern Dutch wine really began in the 1970s and has grown quickly, from a handful of estates to well over a hundred today. The heart of it is southern Limburg, around Maastricht, where loess, flint and marl soils and a slightly warmer pocket of climate suit the vine. Pioneers like Apostelhoeve work with Riesling, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Müller-Thurgau, while larger estates such as Wijngaard St. Martinus lean on hardy, disease-resistant varieties: Solaris, Souvignier Gris, Johanniter and Pinotin. The wines tend to be bright and moderate in alcohol, which is why our Dutch and cool-climate whites and traditional-method sparkling are the natural place to start.
Genever, the Dutch spirit behind gin
Long before the vines arrived, the Low Countries were distilling. Genever, or jenever, is a juniper spirit built on malt wine, and the town of Schiedam near Rotterdam was its historic capital. It comes in three main styles: jonge is lighter and more mixable, oude carries more malt-wine richness with a grainy, whisky-like backbone, and korenwijn is the fullest and most traditional of all. Genever is the direct ancestor of London dry gin, so if you like a good botanical spirit it is worth tasting the original. Dutch red is still a smaller story, with lighter bottles from Pinot Noir, Rondo and Pinotin, but they are worth a look in our red wine selection.
Dutch wine and genever FAQ
Is Dutch wine any good?
Increasingly, yes. The best Limburg estates make genuinely fine aromatic whites and traditional-method sparkling. It is not a classic region in the way France is, but the quality is rising fast and the wines are fresh and food-friendly.
What grapes does the Netherlands grow?
Mostly disease-resistant hybrids suited to a damp, cool climate, such as Solaris, Souvignier Gris, Johanniter and Pinotin, alongside classic Riesling, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois and Pinot Noir. You will find more crisp options in our white wine range.
How should I serve genever?
Chilled and neat is traditional, poured into a tulip glass filled to the brim. Younger styles also mix well in cocktails, while the older, maltier bottles reward slow sipping like a good whisky.