Yes, it is. And secretly, it gets better every year!
You might know the feeling. Someone says, "I'm drinking Dutch wine tonight." And then there's that brief silence at the table. That silence where everyone looks at their glass just a little too enthusiastically.
Because let's be honest: for years, Dutch wine had a bit of the same image as a rainy barbecue. You want to believe in it, but you keep a Plan B just in case.
But... that image is long outdated. In fact, Dutch wine is experiencing an impressive resurgence. And no, not just because we want to be chauvinistic with a cheese board. Dutch wine is genuinely getting better. Seriously better. And you can taste it.
Dutch wine? Since when?
Many people think that viticulture in the Netherlands is a recent phenomenon. Hip millennials with a vineyard and an Instagram account.
But wine in the Netherlands has existed for centuries. Monks used to grow grapes here, especially in Limburg and parts of Gelderland. However, the Netherlands then had a small problem: our climate. Read: cold, rain, wind, and even more rain.
Not ideal if you want to ripen grapes without them tasting like you accidentally bit into a lemon. Nevertheless, a lot has changed in recent years.
Why Dutch wine suddenly works
There are actually three major reasons:
The climate is changing
Let's be honest: warmer summers help grapes immensely. Where Dutch wine used to often be thin and sour, grapes now achieve more ripeness, sugar, and flavor.
That means: more fruit, more balance, and simply tastier wine.
It might be a strange thought, but some areas in the Netherlands now have conditions that twenty years ago resembled those in northern France.
Winemakers have become more serious
Where Dutch wine used to sometimes be more of a hobby project, you now see a new generation of winemakers emerging. People who pursue education, use modern techniques, and genuinely want to produce quality.
Not "good for Dutch wine," but simply: "This is a good wine." That's an important distinction.
New grape varieties are surprisingly successful
The Netherlands largely uses so-called fungus-resistant grape varieties. It sounds complicated, but it simply means that these grapes are better able to withstand our wet climate.
Grapes such as Johanniter, Solaris, and Souvignier Gris perform surprisingly well here. They produce fresh, aromatic white wines that are great for social gatherings, sunny terraces, or that one spontaneous Tuesday when you were only going to have "one glass."
But does Dutch wine actually taste good?
Short answer: yes. Long answer: yes, but differently than many people expect.
If you're looking for a heavy, oak-aged red wine that tastes like you could light a fireplace with it, then the Netherlands might not be your go-to country. But Dutch wine excels in freshness, elegance, and vibrant flavors.
Think of:
- crisp white wines with citrus and green apple
- sparkling wines with great finesse
- light red wines that can even be enjoyed slightly chilled
- surprisingly good rosé for sunny evenings
It actually fits perfectly with how many young wine lovers drink now. Less heavy. More quaffable. More conviviality than prestige.
Dutch sparkling wines are secretly very good
This is perhaps the biggest surprise. Dutch sparkling wine is becoming seriously interesting. Thanks to our cooler climate, grapes retain their fresh acidity. And it's precisely this acidity that you need for good bubbles.
Some Dutch wineries now produce sparkling wine using the traditional method. The same method used in Champagne. And believe us: if you were to taste it blind, you wouldn't immediately think of the Netherlands.
That moment when someone says: "Wait... this is actually from the Netherlands?" That might just be our favorite wine reaction ever.
Why Dutch wine fits perfectly with today
What we like about Dutch wine is that it somehow fits this era very well. Fewer rules. Less pomp. Less "you must detect notes of wet gravel here." More discovery. More local. More stories.
You often truly taste the passion of small producers trying to create something special. And perhaps that's why Dutch wine is so enjoyable to drink.
It still feels a bit like a hidden gem. Not everyone knows it yet. Not yet, anyway.
So... is Dutch wine good?
Yes. Absolutely. Not because it's "good for the Netherlands." Simply because genuinely excellent wines are now being made. And the best part? Dutch wine is actually just getting started.
Every year, winemakers get better. Vineyards more professional. Wines more exciting. So if someone asks, "Is Dutch wine actually good?" You'll already know the answer.
And you'll probably just pour another glass in the meantime.
Curious about Dutch wine?
At Wijnhuis Cave, we have a beautiful selection of Dutch wines, view them here
