Swiss wine combines tradition and stunning landscapes

Cheese, chocolate and fondue are the obvious answers when we think of Switzerland and food. But the country keeps other secrets at the table. One of them, Swiss wine. Yes, nestled between Germany, France and Italy, Switzerland also has a vocation for winemaking. Unlike its neighbors, however, almost all of the wine produced in the country is produced there.

A large consumer of wine, Switzerland has more than 90% of local production for domestic consumption. Only about 2% of Swiss wine is exported, and most of that little goes to neighboring countries. In other words, it is difficult to find a Swiss wine here in Brazil.

O Good Gourmet had the opportunity to taste the taste of Swiss wine this year, during an event to introduce the country to a group of journalists from southern Brazil. The drinks came in the delegation’s suitcase, which showed the attributes of Swiss wine and other tourist attractions in the country in addition to the snow and landscapes suitable for winter sports.

Switzerland has six wine producing regions. The main one is Valais, where a third of Swiss wine is produced. The region, which stretches over 150 km between Lake Léman and the Rhône glacier, is protected by large mountains. This guarantees the ideal soil and climate for the production of different and exclusive varieties of grapes.

According to Pierre-Henri Mainetti, one of the members of the Swiss delegation that visited Curitiba in March, there are 58 types of grape that are only found in the region. One of the most popular is Cornalin. A typical grape from the Valais area, Cornalin produces a red wine with a very concentrated fruity flavor that evolves well over time.

Another variety typical of Valais is Petit Arvigne, which is more commonly found in the north of the region. With this grape, a dry white wine with a delicate flavor is produced. “It’s a wine with a special flavor profile, with a lot of quality and striking in the mouth”, comments Mainetti, who talks passionately about the local producers.

Most Swiss wine production is done by family businesses, on small properties that are passed down from generation to generation. Although not on traditional Swiss tourist itineraries, many of these sites can be visited by tourists.

“We are not very good at marketing. But when you meet people, you see how receptive they are. You arrive at a place, slam the door and when you see it, you end up staying for hours because they make you taste everything they have produced ’ says Mainetti.

The estates can be visited in winter, but it is in summer that the beauty of the vineyard landscape surprises the eyes. “Traveling to Switzerland in summer is completely different from winter. The temperature varies between 25°C and 32°C and it is extremely pleasant to live experiences, for example, by the lakes or visiting Swiss wineries, which are special”, he recommends. Fabian Clarc, director of the Swiss Tourism Office for Brazil.

The Lavaux region, for example, has already been chosen as one of the most beautiful wine producers in the world by Forbes magazine. The area was listed in 2010 as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. There, the green of the vines planted on the hillside in a system of terraces merges with the blue of Lake Léman.

The Chassela grape predominates. Popular in Switzerland, Chassela produces a fruity, fresh white wine with good acidity. It harmonizes very well with another national passion, fondue. So, now you know, if you ever visit Switzerland, bet on local production when choosing wine and have an experience that you are unlikely to find in Brazil.