Vijlen

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The soil consists of flint slope soils, built up from flint eluvium alongside loess, clay-with-flints, and gravel, with no old Meuse deposits present.
• The vineyards are situated at an elevation of 170 to 220 metres above sea level, on south-facing slopes enclosed by hills, which creates a small microclimate.
• The climate is less directly influenced by the sea and has more continental characteristics, less temperate than coastal areas, as reflected in the temperatures.
• The elevation results in less fog formation, particularly in September and October, meaning lower humidity and therefore less susceptibility to botrytis.
• The position in the lee of the Eifel and the Ardennes means the area is not frequently affected by rain and hail.
• Several streams run around the demarcated area, including the Selzerbeek, the Harleserbeek, and the Lombergbeek. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The protected designation of origin Vijlen was applied for on 12 February 2016, and the European Commission decided to grant protection on 5 November 2018, published seven days later. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The grapes are harvested by hand, with a selection of the grapes taking place during the harvesting process.

• The red wines of the area are characterised by a full tannic structure, while the white and rosé wines display a predominantly richly fruity character.

• The soil exerts a distinctive influence on the cultivated grapes through a longer growing season resulting from heat retention in the stones, and through the moisture-retaining properties of the loess, which prevents drought.

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-02168
• Official trade body site — Vereniging Nederlandse Wijn Producenten (VNWP)