Swiss Wine

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Switzerland is a country of rugged mountains and lakes in Western Europe, with its people sharing the cultures and languages of Italy, Germany, France, and Austria. Its wines reflect this blend of ancestries, with grapes saluting all these nationalities. Wine grape seeds were found dating as far back as 3000 BC around Lake Neuchâtel, although it is unknown whether these were ever cultivated as wine. What is known is that the Romans brought vines into Switzerland some time around 100 BC and produced wine in the Valais area, planting Amigne, Arvine, and Rèze grapes. In the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks from Burgundy, France settled in Switzerland and established vineyards in Vaud. They studied soil types, and which grapes would be most suitable to Alpine climate conditions, though the wines they produced were often supplemented with mulling spices and honey. International trade had stepped up by the 17th century, with French wines, especially those from the Rhône, the most sought after Read more »

The late 1800s Phylloxera crisis hit Switzerland quite hard. Efforts to replant were mostly thwarted with more emphasis placed on property developments and industrialization. Wine production was forced farther into the Alpine areas. More recently, efforts to promote high quality wines from Switzerland have had some international success. The OIC (certification of origin inter-canton, translated into German, French, and Italian) has regulated the Swiss wine appellation system (as does the AOC in France, DOC in Italy, etc) since the 1980s, outlining its viticultural areas and emphasizing quality control measures. As with their watch-making, the Swiss are very precise when it comes to wine. Yields are controlled down to the kilogram per square meter (the French go by hectoliter per hectare), and sunlight averages are factored in mathematically to each canton’s ripeness potential.

The dominant grape in Switzerland is Chasselas, which is referred to in different languages according to the region’s national affiliation. It has three French names besides Chasselas: Fondant and Perlan, Dorin when crossed with Chardonnay. In German parts it may be Gutedel. Other popular white grapes are Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Semillon.

In some areas such as Valais, Vaud, and Neuchâtel, identify with Burgundy, and this shows in their choice to grow Pinot Noir (Blaugurgunder) and Gamay. The Bordeaux grapes Merlot (especially in Ticino), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc are also popular, as are the Rhône varietals Syrah and Marsanne.

There are dozens of Swiss OIC in all. Most of the wine is produced within the south and south-west cantons Geneva, Neuchâtel, Ticino, Valais, and Vaud. Some quality wines are emerging from the North-east cantons Aargau, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Zurich, and St. Gallen, among others. ~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Varietals Produced in Switzerland View all

Chasselas

Chasselas maintains a very modest acreage in North America. It is most associated with Switzerland, where it is by fa...
Merlot

The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...
Pinot Noir

“With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...

Subregions of Switzerland

Popular Wineries in Switzerland View all

Cave Fin Bec

Wine is our true passion. We, at Fin Bec, are continually in search of perfection, determined to ...
Chateau de Luins

Le Château de Luins est un domaine viticole composé de la maison de maître du XV et XVIIème siècl...
Domaine de Chafalet

Le domaine de Chafalet compte 8,5 hectares situés sur le coteau du Roulavaz, petit affluent de l'...
Domaine Chateau du Crest

Aujourd'hui, le Domaine du Château du Crest, situé aux confins de la campagne genevoise, s'étend ...
Ardente Winery

Ardente Winery was founded in 1996 on a twenty acre estate located in the quiet hills of Atlas Pe...
New Hall Vineyards

The first English Vineyard in Purleigh was planted back in 1120 and according to the local Paris...

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Switzerland on Snooth

October 2009

Xellent Vodka

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Finally this month its with great disappointment that we find out that the ... ... illegal to distill vodka in Switzerland until as recently as 1999!Xellent Vodka is Swiss produced and the base ingredient is pure first-class Swiss Picasso and Matador rye. This is all grown in the foothills of central Switzerland. After the distillation process... Read More

Wine review by drinkemporium
October 2009

Gerald Besse les Serpentines Syrah Martigny Rouge 2005

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No written review

Wine review by MeWineDirk
August 2009

Vins Surmaturés André Fontannaz Amigne Flétrie Sur Souche Barrique 2003

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No written review

Wine review by scandalinni
August 2009

Amigne de Vétroz Aoc Grand Cru Aoc 2007

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No written review

Wine review by scandalinni
August 2009

Petite Arvine de Vétroz Aoc 2007

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No written review

Wine review by scandalinni
July 2009

Caves de Riondaz Tre Marzo Langhe 2006

Snoothrank:

This is a fantastic blendf from the heart of Langhe. Fantasticly balanced. put away for a couple of years and it will refine further!! Read More

Wine review by Pussen
May 2009

Côtes Du Rhône Rouge "la Souche" Domaine Du Faucon Doré Faucon Rhône Valley France 2007

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No written review

Wine review by Schaferseb
April 2009

Vins des Chevaliers Johanisberg Blanc 2007

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This was a velvety rouge Pinot Noir that had thin legs yet was very pleasent to the senses. A slighltly fruity smell with a modest bouquet. This wine was exceptionally smooth with a tart yet not overbearing aftertaste. I highly reccomend for exceptional value. The quintessential $15.00 wine that rivals many $100.00+ bottles. Read More

Wine review by bradevans
April 2009

Pierre-louis Et Thierry Molliex Rosé De Gamay 2007

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No written review

Wine review by Salome
March 2009

Yvorne Devinière Aoc Top50 NV

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No written review

Wine review by diese118

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Swiss wine ratings and reviews

Winery:	Domaine du Mont d'Or
Region:	Switzerland » Valais
Varietal:	Sylvaner
Color:	White Wines

Winery:	Château Petit Védrines
Region:	Switzerland » Valais
Varietal:	Traminer
Type:	Table Wines

Region:	Switzerland » Vaud » Ollon
Color:	White Wines

Region:	Switzerland » Vaud » Lavaux
Varietal:	Gamay , Pinot Noir , Syrah
Color:	Red Wines

Winery:	Xellent Vodka
Region:	Switzerland
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Blauburgunder
Region:	Switzerland » Graubünden » Buendner Herrschaft » Malans
Color:	Red Wines

Winery:	Marie-Thérèse Chappaz
Region:	Switzerland » Valais
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Bernard Bovy
Region:	Switzerland » Vaud » Saint-saphorin
Color:	Red Wines

Winery:	Dole de Sierre
Region:	Switzerland » Sion » Dôle
Color:	Red Wines

Winery:	Claude Bezuchet, Domaine des Vassaux, Founex (VD)
Region:	Switzerland » La Côte
Color:	White Wines

Winery:	Château d'Auvernier
Region:	Switzerland » Neuchatel
Color:	White Wines

Winery:	Gérard Raymond, Cave Gérard Raymond, Saillon, VS
Region:	Switzerland » Valais
Color:	Red Wines

Winery:	Jeninser
Region:	Switzerland » Graubünden
Color:	Red Wines

Winery:	Winzerkeller Strasser
Region:	Switzerland » Zürich
Color:	White Wines

Swiss Wine

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Viognier

Warm Prosciutto-Stuffed Focaccia

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Varietals Produced in Switzerland View all

Subregions of Switzerland

Popular Wineries in Switzerland View all

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