Vijlen

Vijlen's protected wine area covers 419 hectares in the Vijlen district of Vaals, in the Netherlands. Modern vineyards emerged in the 1980s. A trial vineyard planted in 1986 tested about 40 red varieties, and its first red wine was bottled in 1990. Vineyards lie on sheltered southern slopes, 170 to 220 metres above Amsterdam Ordnance Datum, the Dutch height reference. The climate has less sea influence and more continental conditions. Soils contain loess, clay, flint and gravel. The designation permits red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. Reds can be deeply coloured and full-bodied, with red and black fruit and a little spice. Dry whites can combine green- and ripe-fruit aromas with refreshing acidity. Permitted red grapes include Pinot Noir, Pinotin and Cabernet Cortis; white varieties include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Muscaris and Souvignier Gris.