Agriculture
How the Brabant Wine Year Went: 'A Curse and a Blessing'
Brabant winegrowers Monique van der Goes of Wijngaard Dassemus in Chaam and Gilbert Sweep of Wijngaard de Santspuyt in Etten-Leur describe the current harvest season as successful despite climate challenges. Van der Goes notes that while sandy soils require managing extreme shifts from flooding to drought, the region's lack of strict regulations allows for biodynamic experimentation. Sweep confirms that dry conditions and abundant sunshine resulted in high sugar levels and good ripening with few pests. Both producers view climate change as both a threat through hail and extremes, and an opportunity due to increasing warmth, indicating that Brabant can produce quality wines comparable to traditional regions.
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