Swiss wine is one of Switzerland’s best kept secrets. Switzerland is not known internationally as a wine producing country, but grapes have been grown here since Roman times, and some 15,000 hectares of the country (148km2!) is covered in vines. This puts the country 10th in the world in terms of the vineyards to country surface area ratio.
Switzerland produces around 100 million litres of wines each year and the Swiss drink nearly all the wine they make. Only around 1% of Swiss wine is exported, mainly to Germany. There are over 200 grape varieties grown in Switzerland, the most popular being Chasselas (white) and Pinot Noir (red). Switzerland’s most famous wine-growing area is the UNESCO World heritage site of Lavaux in Vaud which dates back the 12th century.
If you’re a wine lover, one of the best things about early Summer in Switzerland is taking part in the ‘Caves ouvertes’ or open cellars with plenty of free wine tasting. More Swiss wine recommendations to follow…