Description
The Vlaams-Brabantse Tafeldruif PDO is a table grape of the Frankenthal De Coster, Royal, Ribier, Léopold III and Gros Colman varieties of black grape and Muscat d'Alexandrie, Canon Hall and Baidor varieties of white grape.
Production Area
Vlaams-Brabantse Tafeldruif PDO grapes are grown in the Druivenstreek area in the municipal area of Hoeilaart, Overijse and Huldenberg, in the province of Flemish-Brabant in the Flanders region.
Production Method
Vlaams-Brabantse Tafeldruif PDO grapes are cultivated exclusively by hand in heated and adequately ventilated greenhouses. A high level of humidity is maintained to encourage flowering. During the flowering period the plants are kept well ventilated and after flowering the temperature is increased to encourage fruiting. The average temperature of the greenhouse is between 15°C and 20°C. There are three kinds of cultivation: the early crop, the mid-season crop and the late crop. In the first instance the greenhouses are heated from January until the grapes are harvested at the end of July. In the second instance the greenhouses are heated from the middle of February until about the middle of March; during the summer months the grapes will ripen without heating and they are harvested half way through August. Finally, in the third instance, the greenhouses are heated from April until mid-May and then not until mid-September to complete the ripening of the fruit; the late crop is harvested half way through September.
Appearance and Flavour
Vlaams-Brabantse Tafeldruif PDO black grapes are slightly larger than the white variety. Each grape weighs approximately 10 gr and has a fine downy skin. The grapes are very sweet and the average weight of a ripe bunch is 800 gr.
History
The origins of the cultivation of Vlaams-Brabantse Tafeldruif PDO grapes are linked to the advent of greenhouse cultivation in Belgium. In 1865 Felix Sohie built the first greenhouse for grape cultivation in Hoeilaert and he was so successful that it was soon copied by many others and greenhouses sprung up throughout the country. In 1910 there were 6.176 of them and this number was set to grow until reaching 34.929 in 1961. However the cultivation of the vine went into decline following the energy crises of 1973 and 1979 and with the institution of the European Community.
Gastronomy
It is advisable to store the Vlaams-Brabantse Tafeldruif PDO in very moist environments at low temperatures. The black table grapes are generally consumed as fresh fruit, but they can be used in the preparation of sweets, jams, juices, or as an ingredient in salads, combined with endives and nuts.
Marketing
These grapes are sold as Vlaams-Brabantse Tafeldruif PDO. Each bunch of grapes carries a label stating the name of the producer or the company and the PDO logo. As 60% of these grapes are sold by the grower either directly or at the markets, the grapes are labelled exclusively at the point of origin therefore guaranteeing their provenance.
Distinctive Features
Rainfall is an important factor for greenhouse cultivated grapes, which require a lot of water and well drained soil. The climatic conditions in the production area as well as the well drained soil together with the temperate climate, rainfall, lack of periods of drought or excessive humidity and relatively frequent rainfall (780 mm per year) make this an ideal location for the cultivation of Vlaams-Brabantse Tafeldruif PDO grapes and confer them with their distinctive flavour.
