Belgian wine producers book record year in 2014

Wine production in Belgium increased by 11% last year, with sparkling wines doing especially well, according to a study by the FPS Economy in cooperation with the University of Hasselt. In 2014, Belgium produced a total of 614,878 litres of wine, an increase of 11% compared to 2013 (553,867 litres).

"Winemaking is steadily gaining ground. Last year there were 96 registered vintners in Belgium,” says FPS Economy spokesperson Chantal De Pauw.

The increase is a result of normal weather conditions, combined with a rising number of vineyards in Belgium. Sparkling wine production, which favours the cool Belgian climate, rose sharply, from 211,799 litres in 2013 to 285,735 litres in 2014.

White wine accounts for 40.5% of the total Belgian production, with 223,755 litres, compared to 93,650 litres of red wine (17%). Rosé wines represent a small portion of the production, with 22,256 litres in 2014, or 4%. Sparkling wines account for 38% of total production.

photo: Village of Torgny by Jean-Pol Grandmont