Boven de 50ste breedtegraad.

Abstract

Before the climate changes of the late 20th century, the northern part of the Low Countries was generally assumed too cold and wet for viticulture. However, there is evidence of medieval vineyards and viticulture, for example in the gardens of several castles and noble residences in Holland and Gelre around 1375. This article explores the position, size and nature of one of those late fourteenth century castle vineyards above the 50th parallel and concludes that the reason for planting those vineyards was the production of verjuice – the sour juice of unripe grapes. An apparent contradiction is thereby resolved: climatic conditions might have prevented serious wine production, but not vineyard planting.