As we plan our festive feasts this year, we must also consider what drinks to serve as well as what food. For those looking for local refreshments, here are a few suggestions.
Gudule and ‘Effervescence au Palais’
Despite not owning any vines and living in Brussels, Thierry Lejeune decided in 2018 to produce organic wine in the Belgian capital. He has since produced eight vintages (several of which have won medals in international competitions) and created the Gudule cellar in the heart of Brussels. Among these, a cuvée of organic bubbles: Effervescence au Palais.
Ruffus
Ruffus, also known as the Agaises vineyard, is a wine estate in the commune of Estinnes (near Mons). The acclaimed wine isn't cheap but its sparkling range will be a perfect match for end-of-year celebrations.
Caulier Brewery
Why not choose a beer as a Christmas aperitif? The Caulier brewery is located in Péruwelz (Wallonia) and has been brewing beautiful blondes for more than 20 years. For Christmas, they release a special edition of their first beer: Bon Secours Blonde de Noël.
Néobulles, alcohol-free sparkling wine
Since 2014, the Herve-based company has been producing non-alcoholic beers and wines, including a 0% sparkling wine. Néobulles have become the undisputed market leader in non-alcoholic drinks (excluding beer) in Belgium. You can enjoy their bubbles as an aperitif or their Vintense non-alcoholic wines during the meal.
For all those who do not drink alcohol, young and old, there is no reason to settle for water, orange juice or sparkling apple.
Kefir is a kind of fermented, sparkling lemonade, sometimes called "milk champagne". This drink is a great source of vitamins and probiotics, promoting intestinal well-being and strengthening the immune system. There are several tastes to vary the pleasure and meet everyone's tastes.
Belgian wine, white or red, at the meal
If our country is not (yet) renowned for its wine, it nevertheless produces wine of such quality to challenge other winegrowers who offer wines characteristic of our regions.
The vineyard at Valke Vleug, in Liezele, Puurs. Credit: Jasper Jacobs.
Cork wine
The Vin de Liège wine estate, established about ten years ago between the lower valleys of the Geer and the Meuse, now has 17 hectares of vines. White, rosé, red or sparkling, you can go on-site on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to pick your bottles of choice.
Domaine de Glabais
Located in Genappe, the Glabais wine estate embarked on the adventure in 2016. Young wines, full of liveliness and subtle aromas, such is the promise of the wines of this Belgian winemaker. Visit the estate store on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Clos les Ramiers
Carole Vandionant took over the family estate in 2001 and launched the Clos les Ramiers wine estate project in the picturesque village of Gotem. Clos les Ramiers offers original wines based on the Chardonnay, Cabernet, Wurzer, Johanniter, Muscaris, Muscat Bleu, and Dornfelder grape varieties. They even offer dessert wines.
Chapter Domain
Just a few kilometres from the city centre of Nivelles, the Hautier family run the Domaine du Chapitre of 44,000 vines and has been making dozens of different wines since 2013; red, white, rosé and sparkling varieties.
Castle of Bioul
10 years ago, Château de Bioul was one of the largest wine estates in Belgium but many families have since embarked on the adventure and today it is one of the smallest. However, this does not diminish its quality. Its size allows it to continue to produce delicious organic and biodynamic wines.
For dessert, we tend to go for stronger alcohols to help with digestion. Here are some Belgian options to cap off a great meal.
Whisky
Etienne Bouillon bought two stills from 1898 from a "ghost" Scottish distillery: Caperdonich, in Scotland which had never before allowed stills to leave the territory before. The whiskey he now distils has brought him numerous awards, including the Best European Whisky 2022.
Cala Kumquat Gin
Brussels resident Thierry Verhoeven spent a decade dreaming of creating his own alcohol and succeeded in 2019 when his Cala Kumquat Gin was finally revealed. The Kumquat comes from Andalusia but the owner of the plot is Belgian so the national element remains strong!
Rum
Rum Babs was born in November 2020 in Brussels and has been on sale since March 2021. Distiller Gaëlle comes from Madagascar where she grew up with this tradition. She embarked on the adventure of rum distilled in Belgium and created Rum Babs, with advice and recipes from her aunts, great-aunts and grandmothers.
Gervin Distillery
At the helm of the distillery since 2008, Vincent Stiévenart, son of the first boss and master distiller, manages the Gervin Distillery which offers original products: the Classic range (liqueurs of all kinds including a Chicon Liqueur), the 2.0 range (fruity liqueurs and aperitifs with an offbeat identity) and the range of Premium distilled alcohols (Gin Charismatic or Poiregnac - pear and cognac).
Teatower
Teatower is a Belgian tea house that offers a wide range of organic teas and infusions. For the Christmas period, they are offering a special holiday range that is created to enhance the experience of wrapping up warm beside the fireplace.
Mike and Becky
Based in Uccle, the Mike & Becky shop offers a variety of hot chocolates from different parts of the world. Customers say it's impossible to leave without buying some chocolate!
