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