Switzerland in transition: from a land of white wine to a land of red wine
Swiss wine merchants were allowed to submit their favorite local red wine. A jury of experts tasted the 51 wines and chose the winner. Unsurprisingly, it was a Merlot.
Switzerland? A land of white wine – that’s what people generally think. But is that still true in December 2017? After all, the areas on which red grape varieties are cultivated are over 2000 hectares larger than those for white grapes. And the most cultivated grape variety is not – as it once was – Chasselas, but Pinot Noir. And this has been the case for years. Is Switzerland mutating into a red wine country?
The fact is: the quality of the red top is more than remarkable. Our Pinot Noirs can easily keep up with top Burgundies. In Valais, the best Syrahs and Cornalins are of top quality. And in Ticino, the winemaking elite is becoming increasingly successful in calibrating the relevant components such as the (once excessive) use of barriques, concentration, elegance and crispness, so that the most beautiful Merlots have become dream wines.
“The tasting was once again proof that Swiss wines are playing at the top level,” says Master of Wine Ivan Barbic. Practically all the wines were a great pleasure. “And some of them can definitely be counted among the world’s best.” Salgesch winemaker Diego Mathier also believes that Switzerland is now making great wines. “Insane, this level.” Host Ursina Ponti confirms: “Some of the wines were really great. That’s what makes a tasting like this fun!”
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