The Wine Route in Switzerland - Wine Tourism World

No, Switzerland isn't just about watches, banks, and chocolate. Switzerland is also about wine! It's true that Swiss wine isn't very common in France, and for an obvious reason: the Swiss consume almost all of it. Only 1% of production is exported. But our Swiss friends love wine, and to meet the demand, 60% of consumption is imported.

The Map of Terroirs

I began by exploring the Changins wine school in Nyon, where I learned that there are five major wine regions. The Geneva region, planted primarily with Gamay, consists of large vineyards averaging 4.7 hectares. In the Canton of Vaud, with its fragmented terroirs, Chasselas reigns supreme. André Bélard, an oenologist, explained the unique microclimate of the renowned Lavaux vineyards, characterized by the "three suns" phenomenon: the sun reflected off the walls, the rays reflected by the lake, and the direct sunlight. These three rays promote optimal grape ripening—quite a feat! Traveling up the Rhône Valley (yes, indeed!), I arrived in Valais, home to the largest vineyard area in Switzerland, with its dry and sunny climate: 120,000 plots planted with Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chasselas (called Fendant in this canton), and Petite Arvine. There is also the Three Lakes Region, where Pinot Noir and Chasselas are best expressed, as well as Ticino, a more humid region on the Italian border planted with Merlot.

My advice

Marie Linder, a discerning wine taster, explained to me that there are many international grape varieties of French origin, such as Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Personally, I don't think they're the most interesting, but they are certainly the best-selling, given their reputation. Instead, focus on local grape varieties, those that best showcase the terroirs of this beautiful country and are the pride of the winemakers. Try, for example, Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Humagne Blanche, Humagne Rouge, or Garanoir. Admittedly, Swiss wines are expensive, but the quality is increasingly evident; the image of Chasselas as overly rich and flabby is fading in favor of the freshness and minerality of Petite Arvine. And that's a good thing…

With a good raclette in my belly, off to Italy and the Aosta Valley!

My favorites

Caves du Paradis – Sierre
Humagne Blanche 2014
Garanoir 2013

Philippe Varone – Sion
Petite Arvine 2014
Humagne Blanche 2014

Louis Bovard – Cully
Epesses 2014

Benjamin Gras ( The Grapes )