'Terroir' has become something of a buzzword in gastronomical contexts over the years and not just in wine anymore - so why not in beer. In the case of the latest Grapevine by De Ranke, it refers to the fact that both the hops and the (Chardonnay) grapes that were used, were grown by the very same farm in Poperinge - how often does one see a farm growing both hops and grapes (and who knows what else)? An interesting premise, and since this Grapevine series has pleasantly surprised me over the years, this was something I had to check out - and share at Proevertjesdag. Egg-white, moussey, tiny-bubbled, opening head on a cloudy yolk-yellow blonde robe with apricot glow. Aroma of white grapes in a 'raw' yet fresh kind of way (rather than e.g. a Chardonnay wine effect I was perhaps hoping for), unripe orange, green plum, sourdough, freshly cut grass somewhere (the Poperinge hops no doubt), redcurrant, dry hay, gooseberry. Very fruity onset, gooseberry and green apple notes superseded by white grapes in a tart yet juicy way, seemingly softening the acids a bit; fizzy carb, 'moelleux' and supple body. The Chardonnay grape flavours are strong and clear enough, not very wine-like perhaps but very 'fresh', with even that typical grassy aspect to them; below glides a soft, gently yoghurty-lactic tartness and bready maltiness. Woody, hayish and lime-like accents in the finish, along with a bittering hoppiness, very vaguely citric even, but the grapes remain the star of the show, fitting into the whole 'beery' structure well and maintaining their typical Chardonnay features till the end. Ends notably grassy and 'green' with a chalky note - less vinous and fruit-sweet than the previous Grapevine editions, but still soft and gentle. Elegant like the others, but certainly distinct.

Utseende: Brun.
Lukt: Malt, frukter.
Smak: Malt, frukter.
Skum/kullsyre: Tykt dekkende skum, heng.
Medium: Rating:8-7-7-6-7=7, Bottle@330ml, ABV@8.5%, Når@2026.07.10.
Hvor: Samling Bryne
Navn: Noir de Dottignies
Stil: BELGIAN STYLE - QUADRUPEL / DARK STRONG
Bryggeri: Brouwerij De Ranke

Bought from Beers of Europe, drank at home. Good bitter.

"de Ranke Wijnberg (2022)", 75-cl-Flasche von Belgoshop.de, 22.6.2026. - Dunkles Rotgold, trüb; kurzlebiger Schaum. - Komplexes, reiches Süßsauer mit Wiener Malz, einem Rest Karamel(süße), säuerlicher roter Frucht (Weintrauben), Balsamico, Noten von Leder, Kellerluft (Lambic-ähnlich), Holz und Erde. - Spritzig aber weich rezent mit schöner mineralischer Note. - Sehr schönes Bier, bei dem das reiche, kernige Süßsauer eines Oud Bruin durch eine Gabe stark gealterten Bieres noch etwas saurer und schärfer geworden ist, aber nicht weniger trinkbar, mit nur leisen Lambic-Anklängen. Großartig!

"De Ranke Guldenberg", Fläschchen von Belgoshop.de, 20.6.2026. - Goldbraun, trüb; reicher (aber bald zusammengefallener) Schaum. - In der Nase fettes helles Malz, mächtige Sirupsüße, üppige aber elegante belgische Hefe und bittersüße zitrusfruchtige Hopfung mit Orangenschale. - Antrunk satt hellmalzig und gediegen orangenfruchtig hopfenherb mit erfreulich dezenter Kandissüße, auch die belgische Hefe ist nicht so prominent wie befürchtet. Milder schaumig rezent, leise alkoholische Wärme, wie sie bei einem Bier dieser Stärke einfach dazugehört. Gediegen grasig-hopfenherber Abgang mit deutschen Anklängen - gehopft (kaltgehopft?) wurde mit Hallertau Mittelfrüh. - Kein ordinäres süßes Starkbier sondern eine gelungene Balance von tiefer Süße und hopfenaromatischer Bittere. Prima.

Poured from 750mL bottle (2022 vintage). Orangey gold with small white head. Funk, lightly earthy, a touch subdued, okay.

2022. Amber. Haze. Thin head. Earthy aroma. Soft body, earthy. Decent bitterness, lemony accents, touch of wood. It’s good, not overwhelming complexity or anything.