On a wine tour to burgundy special Brabant

Register wine expert Peetra van der Knaap nurtures a love for Dutch wine and frequently visits vineyards in her own country - she even wrote a book of wine weekends about it. In this edition of Winelife, she goes on a voyage of discovery through North Brabant and was surprised on all sides along the way. - TEXT PEETRA VAN DER KNAAP

If, triggered by the slogan "Hier moet je zijn in Brabant", we decide to go on a 4-day wine trip through North Brabant, we do not yet realise how refreshing and, above all, varied our
trip will be. OK, we know that this province has a special culinary tradition. Brabant has no fewer than 20 restaurants awarded a Michelin star and even three with two stars. And that there are several vineyards spread across the province we also know. But biodynamic wineries and even a winery that exclusively makes sparkling wines? We have no idea about that yet.

Mysterious cuvée

On Friday mid-morning, we drive up the dirt track at Wijngaard De Linie in the village of Made, northwest of Oosterhout. Rudy Schellekens is working intensively to check his various classic grape varieties, including riesling, gewürztraminer, pinot blanc and pinot noir. Since January 2019, he has been the owner of the De Linie estate, which was established back in 1977. At the time, the vineyard was the northernmost in Europe. We admire the vines growing well above the wooden stakes. We even observe vines that are 44 years old. Rudy: 'I like all facets of viticulture. I want to grow healthy plants to make beautiful wine. About red 2020, I am very satisfied. This one is vegan these days.'

Rudy precedes us to the reception area to taste De Linie Cuvée 2020, a wine made from seven grape varieties. Which ones? That's the winemaker's secret. Marius van Stokkom, pioneer in Dutch winemaking and Rudy's predecessor, never revealed the composition of this cuvée. And Rudy, too, leaves this mystery. We take the Linie Rood from the pinot noir grape, supplemented by a cabernet hybrid, for home.

Curious about the whole article? You can read it in Winelife 72. Order this one here!

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