After a less successful vintage in 2021, Belgian wine production reached a record high last year, driven by a growing number of vineyards and ideal weather conditions.
Never has Belgian wine production been as high as in 2022, the Federal Public Service Economy reported on Wednesday. A record of 3 million litres of wine was produced in the country last year – twice as much as in 2021, which was considered the "worst year ever" for the sector.
"The yield is as much as 54% higher than the peak year 2018 when 2 million litres of wine was produced," the FPS noted in a statement. "Ideal weather conditions and a growing number of vineyards and cultivated hectares led to this spectacular growth."
Belgian vintners mainly specialise in sparkling white wine, of which some 1.4 million litres were supplied last year; white wine accounted for around 1 million litres. But the largest increase in production last year was seen with red wine, which rose by 200% to almost 371,000 litres.
In 2022, Flanders and Wallonia produced the same volume of wine, but the rise on 2021 production was greater in Wallonia, which saw a 140% rise in production (1,542,096 litres). In Flanders, the increase was 109 % (1,508,810 litres) on the year previous.
Nationwide, the number of wine growers is rising each year. In 2022, 259 winegrowers (+22) – both professional and amateur – were registered, of which the largest number was recorded in Limburg. While Flanders had about twice as many winegrowers in 2021, Wallonia is steadily catching up.
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Since 1997, a number of protected designations of origin (PDOs) have been issued for quality Belgian wines to recognise the fact the production, processing and preparation took place in a specific geographical area with recognised and established craftsmanship, such as Hageland wine, Haspengouw wine, Heuvellandse wine, Côtes de Sambre et Meuse or Maasvallei Limburg.
"If you see one of these designations on the wine's label, you have a quality guarantee. Those wines all passed a thorough lab test and taste and smell test," the FPS concluded.
