The Belgian Wines Routes

 

Who, nowadays, can only think of the slopes of the Meuse being covered with vineyards ?
And this, from Dinant to Liège (and beyond), while passing by Namur and Huy !

The first vineyards date back from the conquests of Gaul by the Romans (in 58 A.C).
It is with the Middle Ages (as of the 11th century, until 14th - 15th century) that the number of vineyards will increase considerably in our regions, supported in that by the monasteries and convents. 
Many names and places testify of this still nowadays: rue des vignes (Vineyards street), Vivegnies (Old Vineyard), Bouvignes… but also wijngaardstraat, etc.
Even if the vines never completely disappeared, the number of vineyards knows a slow decline as of the 15th century, then fast as of the 18th century; and this, for multiple reasons.
It is only in second half of the 20th century that, here and there, some modest vines will be reimplanted.
A domino effect (the vine grower likes to share his know-how and wine) will make that new initiatives multiply since the beginning of this 21e century, so that we can reasonably speak about the rebirth of the vine in our regions.

The Mosan Wine Route

 

Tour n°1: Château Bon Baron, Ferme gourmande de la Bouverie and Domaine du Chenoy

09:30            Departure from Dinant
10:00 - 12:00 Guided visit and tasting at the Château Bon Baron, in Lustin

12:30 - 14:00 cold buffet at the Ferme de la Bouverie , in Lesve. Culture and cattle-breeding farm, still in activity, in buildings of the XVIIe century. A jewel of the Walloon inheritance.

14:30 - 16:30 Guided visit and tasting at the Domaine du Chenoy, the largest Walloon vineyard, in Emines

Back in Dinant around 17:30.

 

 

Tour n°2: Domaine du Chenoy and Château Genoels-Elderen

09:00            Departure from Dinant
10:00 - 12:30 Guided visit and tasting at Domaine du Chenoy, the largest Walloon vineyard, in Emines, close to Namur 

                           its owner and impassioned wine grower, Philippe Grafé, will guide us in his vineyard and at the end of the visit a tasting will propose to us
                    type of vines: Bronner, Merzling, Helios, Johanniter, Solaris, Regent, Pinotin, Rondo (of Czech origin), Cabertin (experimental type of vine, of Swiss origin) and Muskat Bleu
12:30 - 14:00 Sandwiches buffet at the Domaine du Chenoy
15:30 - 18:00 Guided visit and tasting at the Castle Wijnkasteel Genoels-Elderen, the largest Flemish vineyard, in Riemst, north of Liege.

                           vineyard of 15 hectares, as well as an experimental vineyard of 20 different types of vines
                    type of vines: primarily Chardonnay, but also Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois

The Between Sambre and Meuse Route

09:00            Departure from Dinant
10:30 - 12:30 Guided visit and tasting at the Vignoble des Agaises, in Haulchin, not far from Binche

                           close to 10 hectares - type of vines: primarily Chardonnay, as well as Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
                    Gold medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2008 (World Contest of Brussels held in Bordeaux April 18-20th 2008): a beautiful success for the Rufus Vintage 2006 “méthode traditionnelle” (“méthode champenoise”)
13:00 - 14:30 Regional lunch at the Grange des Belges barn, in Ragnies, close to Thuin

14:30 - 16:30 Followed by the guided visit of the Distillerie de Biercée, with tasting of a brandy
                         you will discover how 10 kg of fresh fruits become a liquor or brandy bottle
                         you will start with the Room of the Distillers (old tools), will view a film, and will visit the Room of the Scents (to feel, see and touch more than 30 plants, and use the Perfume Organ)
                         you will visit then distilling, where in the course of the years the 23 various brandies, liquors and softnesses are elaborate
                         each stage will be explained by the guide
                         at the end of the visit, you will choose your tasting: Eau de Villée, Poire Williams N°1, Griotte (cherry), or even a white beer with Eau de Villée

Possibility of extending the tour to the hanging gardens of Thuin, for a visit of the Clos des Zouaves (type of vine: Regent).

 

 

Excursions by coach, intended for the small groups (minimum 12), departing from Dinant (except otherwise arranged).


Characteristics of these programs:
- guided visits
- equipment: walking shoes and protection adapted to the weather
- accessible to all
- period: in theory all the year, but particularly advised in autumn, during the grape harvest.




Contact us for more information!

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Belgium

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