Switzerland
A production renowned for its white wines, offering nice regional discoveries, as well as for its reds and rosés with diverse varieties, sometimes unique e.g. garanoiror gamaret . The famous rosé "œil-de-perdrix" originates from Neuchâtel and results from pressing of pinot noir with limited stay in tun.
Surface : 15 000ha Production : 1,1Mhl Consumption: 2,5 Mhl
Terroir
- soils: most often loaded with minerals ( shale, lime, quartz, clay) and very diverse on account of the topography.
- climate : numerous rivers and small mountain ranges accounting for many micro climates, with vineyards located along lakes, allowing for « double sun », thus compensating for the rigorous climate
- main grape varieties : reds: Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder, Clevner, Spätburgunder), Gamay, Merlot and white : Chasselas (Fendant, Gutedel), Müller-Thurgau (Riesling-Sylvaner), Chardonnay, Sylvaner. Switzerland grows over 40 rare varieties.
Main wine regions
- Canton de Genève
- Canton de Vaud, with two grands crus (Dézaley and Calamin) and the famous terrace vineyards of Lavaux, classified World Heritage site by UNESCO
- Neuchâtel-Three Lakes covering Vully and the shores of the lajkes of Neuchâtel, Bienne and Morat
- Valais with the Fendant and the Dôle
- Alemanic Switzerland
- Canton of Tessino, Sopraceneri at the North where pergolas vines may still be found and Sottoceneri at the South
- Canton of Jura
Legislation
Specific to each canton, it usually varies according to grape varieties, sub regions or municipalities, using the concept of First and Grand cru
Site : www.swisswine.ch