Achterhoek - Winterswijk

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The delimited area falls largely within the East Netherlands Plateau, which has a different soil structure than the areas located to the west in the Achterhoek.
• The soil of the East Netherlands Plateau around Winterswijk contains loam and limestone, while other areas in the Achterhoek consist of alluvial clay or cover-sand deposits.
• The Jurassic Lias comes to the surface near Winterswijk in several stream beds.
• For the vine-growing season from May to September, the average temperature recorded at the Hupsel weather station is 15.58 degrees Celsius, with a mean minimum temperature of 9.93 degrees and a mean maximum temperature of 20.83 degrees.
• Average monthly rainfall amounts to 78.54 mm, and average monthly sunshine totals 192.93 hours during the growing season from May to September.

• The rows are spaced between 2.00 m and 2.20 m apart and the vines 1 to 1.25 metres apart within the row, yielding approximately 2.2 square metres per vine to ensure sufficient nutrient uptake.
• The strips between the vine rows are kept black (bare dark soil) to capture heat radiated outward at night, promoting earlier ripening and also aiding in frost protection.

• The wines are recognisable as varietal and blended wines, comprising full-bodied, fruity, fresh whites with aromas of ripe fruit or citrus, rosé wines, and red wines with soft tannins.
• In the case of liqueur wine, a minimum of one year of oak ageing contributes further development, with softer tannins and oak-derived notes, and the wine has an actual alcoholic strength of at least 18 per cent.

• A soil rich in humus and loam retains moisture and nutrients effectively, allowing the grape aromas to develop fully for a full-bodied and powerful wine, even during drier periods.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Netherlands

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-NL-02402
• Official trade body site — Vereniging Nederlandse Wijn Producenten (VNWP)