Netherlands

**Netherlands** is a small and emerging wine country whose cool, maritime northern climate has historically made grape growing difficult. A warming climate and disease-resistant hybrid grapes have driven a modest but genuine expansion of domestic vineyards in recent years. **Signature wines** — Much of the output relies on cool-climate and hybrid varieties such as Solaris, Souvignier Gris, Regent and Johanniter, yielding mostly fresh whites and some sparkling and light red wines. **Key regions** — Plantings are scattered across the southern and eastern provinces, notably Limburg and Gelderland, where slightly warmer, more sheltered sites give grapes a better chance to ripen. **Good to know** — The Dutch have a far larger place in wine history as merchants than as growers: in the 17th century they were dominant traders who helped shape styles across Europe, from Bordeaux to sweet wines, long before they made much wine of their own.

Wines

• Chardonnay — Dear Vincent
• Johanniter — Netherlands
• Johanniter Linge Wit Tête de Cuvée — Betuws Wijndomein