Belgium

**Belgium** is a small, cool-climate wine producer better known abroad for its beer, but its vineyards have grown steadily as warming conditions make grape ripening more reliable. **Signature wines** — crisp whites and traditional-method sparkling wines dominate, made from cool-climate grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and aromatic varieties; some hybrid grapes are also grown for hardiness. **Key regions** — production is concentrated in Flanders, with areas like Hageland and Haspengouw among the recognised zones, plus scattered vineyards in Wallonia. **Good to know** — Belgium operates within the EU quality framework, with several protected designations of origin covering both still and sparkling wine. Sparkling wine in particular has become a point of pride, and warmer seasons have made ripe, dependable vintages steadily easier to achieve.

Wines

• BelBul Blanc de Noirs Brut — Vandersteene
• De Sloovere — De Sloovere-Pataer
• Effervescence au Palais — Gudule Brussels Urban Winery
• Festive — Bruut
• Pienne — De Sloovere-Pienne
• Pinot Gris — Kasteel Van Rullingen
• Pinot Gris — Wijndomein Aldeneyck
• Pinot La Douve — Entre Deux Monts
• Prestige — De Sloovere-Pienne
• Pure Gris Cuvée — Vandeurzen
• Riesling — Aldeneyck
• Zone Orange — Gudule Winery
• Zweigelt Al voye — Domaine des Marnières