Switzerland is most famous for its mountains, banking secrecy and cheese fondue. But its best-kept secret is that fantastic wine is also made here. That is why WINELIFE caught the train to this wine country, to get to the bottom of this secret.
Text: Chateau Petri | Image: Unsplash | Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism and Valais Promotion
Wine is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Switzerland. Yet this country has a centuries-old wine history and a wine culture brimming with traditions and craftsmanship. Unfortunately, its wines, especially those of native varieties, rarely make it beyond its borders. The reason is that not a huge number of them are made and the Swiss themselves highly value the wines. The average Swiss person drinks about 35 litres a year (figures from 2022). This puts the country in fourth place worldwide when it comes to wine consumption. Only one to two per cent of Swiss wine is exported.
On top of that viticulture is a national pastime in Switzerland; the vines are in the backyard, so to speak. There are many tiny winegrowers, most managing less than one hectare and selling their grapes to a cooperative. That can international grape varieties, such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and syrah, but the Swiss are champions of working with indigenous grapes, such as cornalin, gamaret, garanoir, petite arvine, amigne and sylvaner, which you don't often see in the Netherlands. You should so just come and taste them for yourself. Not a punishment at all, because it is also beautiful here outside the ski season. You imagine yourself in an old-fashioned postcard, so beautiful!
Unlock this item
Want to continue reading this article for free? Enter your e-mail address or continue on Google/LinkedIn and read on immediately.
English (UK) 
Nederlands 
Deutsch