thomasvino
The Salgesch native had already won two titles (2007 and 2011) as “Best Winemaker in Switzerland” and the title “Best of the Decade” (2007-2016). At the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2018, he overwhelmed with his third title as “Best Winery of the Year”. But there is still a forest behind the tree.
Signed by the international jury consisting of a dozen experts who reassessed the 6 nominees from 13 categories in Sierre at the beginning of August, with representatives of the organizers Vinea and Vinum magazine also present, the ranking confirms the established values of Swiss wine. If one had to choose the canton of Chasselas, it would be Vaud, which cultivates the largest area of Switzerland’s first white grape variety in the world. Bingo: two Vaudois Chasselas are at the top of the list ex-aequo, a La Côte, the Château d’Etoy 2017, vinified by Thierry Ciampi for the Cave Jolimont (Schenk Group), and a Lavaux, the Riex 2017 from the cellar of the bourgeoisie of the city of Fribourg. As for the “best organic wine in Switzerland”, it is also a Chasselas, unfiltered 2017, by Bertrand Favre from the Domaine de Miolan in Choulex (GE).
Confirmed showcase regions
Where do the country’s most famous Pinot Noirs come from? From Graubünden, Neuchâtel and Aargau? A group of three, in that order! The 2016 Maienfeld Levanti from Andrea Davaz, Diego Mathier, who was voted best winemaker of the first decade of the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse, already seems to be well on its way for the next decade. The Porret family’s 2016 Cortaillod from the Domaine des Cèdres in Cortaillod (NE) is ahead of the 2015 Alter Berg wine estate in Tegerfelden (AG) from Aargau, the owner of Von Salis in Landquart (GR). And if you had to choose an excellent Gamay, La Côte vaudoise or Genève? The 2017 from Domaine de Chantemerle, Tartegnin (VD), and the 2017 from Sarah Meylan, La Vigne Blanche in Cologny (GE), were the first to tie.
And what about Merlot? A Ticino wine, of course, and three of them! The top title went to Daniele Mafei, Vice President of Vinea, who manages the cantonal vineyard Mezzana, and his young oenologist Nicola Calmi with the Ronco 2016, ahead of the Pergole 2015 from the Meroni brothers in Biasca and the Lamone 2015 from Sacha Pelossi.
A Gamaret from the Vaud region, the best red wine
In the red wine category, which is reserved for the pure Gamaret, Garanoir and Mara varieties, Rodrigo Banto from Cave de La Côte in Tolochenaz won the title with his Gamaret Inspiration 2015 and was also named the best red wine in Switzerland. The final of the “other single varietals” was 100% Valaisan, and the top Cornalin Champmarais 2014 from Jean-René Germanier in Vétroz came out on top. The red blends were doubly successful for the “Wine Cellar of the Year”: the Rosmarie Mathier 2015 cuvée came out on top ahead of the Folissimo 2015. Diego Mathier went one better in the white blends with L’Ambassadeur de Domain Diego Mathier, which won with the 2016 vintage and came third with the 2015 vintage. The “best winery of the year” was confirmed with the “best white wine in Switzerland”, Heida Les Pyramides 2016, and in the “other pure white varieties” category, two small Arvines from Valais, the 2017 from Defayes-Crettenand in Leytron and the 2017 Maître de Chais from the Provins cooperative. In Müller-Thurgau, a German-speaking hunting ground, an Aargau cru prevailed, the 2017 Riesling X Sylvaner from Tegerfelden by DiVino (new name of Garnier-Volg).
Six Valais champions in 13 categories
In the other categories, the Vaud coast came out on top with the best rosé, a 2017 from Tartegnin from the Cave de la Brazière, ahead of the new addition to the Les Murailles collection, the 2017 rosé from Badoux in Aigle (Schenk Group). In the sweet wine category, there was another Valais podium and a fine coup by Gilliard in Sion with its Soleil de Minuit 2016, ahead of Robert Taramarcaz from the Domaine des Muses in Sierre with a Petite Arvine flétrie Classique 2014 and Yvon Cheseaux from the Cave des Remparts in Saillon, a master of Malvoisie flétrie (his 2016 came third). The Eboé 2013 from Flaction Vins in Saint-Pierrede-Clages beat Caves Châtenay-Bouvier in Boudry (2′) with its Bouvier Brut 2014 and Mauler & Cie in Môtiers (NE) (3′) with its Bel Héritage 2012, a Swiss country wine (6 out of 13 categories). With a broad dominance from Valais, with Vaud and Neuchâtel in the rear, this Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2018 paints a Swiss wine landscape without any major surprises.
PIERRE THOMAS
