They Make Wine There?! Switzerland

The Swiss are famous for hiding things away so they’re hard to find. Their knives hide away the blades and files. Their clocks have a little coo-coo hidden in them. Their banks hide billions of dollars. Even their country is even hidden by giant mountains. So it’s no surprise that their wine is hidden away too.

The Swiss love their wine, especially after a day of skiing when there is nothing more enjoyable than to come home and relax with a glass of wine, Swiss chocolate and a good old Yodel. But unlike yodelling their wine stays in Switzerland; in fact, less than 2% of their wine is exported and the majority of the 2% goes to their neighbors in Germany. Swiss wine outside of Switzerland is truly a rare find.

Wine in Switzerland is nothing new they just enjoy their wine so much that they like to keep it to themselves. In fact, they have planted 48 million litres of white wine and 52 million litres of red wine. Interestingly, they also have some of the highest and steepest vineyards. However, for years they didn’t rely just on their own wines and instead would blend their wine with grapes from France and other surrounding countries.

This works well as Switzerland is surrounded by some of the biggest wine exporters in the world: France and Italy. Well, this did work – until recently that is; in 2006 they had to stop using French wines as it was causing a great deal of argument between the European countries. Regardless of the blend or where the grapes come from the Swiss got a bad rep for their wine because tourists were usually served Fendant and Dole – two heavy, unremarkable wines sold way over priced. I believe the Swiss just didn’t want anyone to know about the good stuff.

Now their excellent wine is quickly snapped up though; especially their red wine which made with Pinot Noir, known as Blauburgunder. A slightly sweet and juicy wine, Blauburgunder is made with dried grapes from the Graubunden region where they also grow Merlot with great success. They also grow a fantastic white grape called Chasselas which is full, dry and fruity. It is without doubt a Swiss grape but you can find it else where – in France it is used in a blend with Sauvignon Blanc called Pouilly-sur-Loire and in New Zealand it is used to make a sweet bottle of wine.

So, if your a lucky boy or girl and you get your hands on a glass (or 4!) of Swiss wine enjoy it because it’s a rare privilege, and remember if your out in Switzerland turn down the Fendant and Dôle and ask for the good stuff.

Nic Conner works in the UK wine trade and hates three things: over priced wine, people buying wine because of the name and unnecessary pomp.