Wijnhandel 12% of meer — Wine shop in Middelburg

For more than twenty years, Wijnhandel 12% of meer ("12% or more") has been a favourite with wine fanatics and bon vivants. The shop is in a monumental building on the Houtkaai in Middelburg. Owner Monique Vreeke built it into an idiosyncratic wine merchant, far from the big players. She grew from specialist wine shop into importer: she sells wine she imports herself to specialist wine merchants and restaurants, with an increasing focus on sustainability, meaning wine from smaller producers who work as naturally as possible. Regulars know to look in the climate cabinet in the back room, where all kinds of good things are ready at the right temperature. Besides wine there's a small but fine range of delicacies: olive oil, vinegars and tinned fish.