Switzerland Flashcards
Which Swiss canton is located close to Jura?
Vaud
True or false: Switzerland is home to the highest elevation vines in Europe
True
At Visperterminen - 1,100m asl
Which canton of Switzerland experiences brilliant sun and summer drought, requiring irrigation for the vines and leading to superripe grapes?
Valais
What is Switzerland’s most cultivated white grape?
Chasselas
What percentage of Swiss wine production is consumed domestically?
over 90%
Which Swiss canton is responsible for a third of total wine production?
Valais
Which Swiss region is the northernmost appellation of the Rhône river?
Valais
What is the Föhn?
A warm dry wind that blows down the slopes of mountains and warms the climate to enable viticulture.
Now a generic term used for this type of wind, it originated in alpine central Europe.
What is Fendant?
Synonym for Chasselas in Valais
What is the synonym for Chasselas in Valais?
Fendant
What is Vin du Glacier? What is the plural term?
A madeirised dry white wine aged in a solera at altitude in Valais.
Made from the indigenous Swiss variety Rèze. Aged in larch wood casks, topped once a year.
Rèze is all but extinct. Now also made from Malvoisie (Pinot Gris), Petit Arvine, Fendent (Chasselas), Ermitage (Marsanne) and Humagne Blanc
Plural - Les Vins des Glaciers
Where is Vin du Glacier made?
Valais
in the
Val d’Anniviers
Which river runs through Valais?
Rhône
What is Dôle?
A speciality of the Valais
A blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay (min 85%)
The rest can be made of other local varieties plus Merlot and Syrah
What is Charte Grain Noble ConfidenCiel?
A group of Valais sweet wine producers.
Formed 1996.
Wines can see botrytis or be dried on the vine. The Föhn assists with drying.
> traditional Valais varieties
minimum 150° oeschle
vine age min 15 yo
12 months oak
Which group of sweet wine producers created a label seal of quality in 1996?
Charte Grand Noble ConfidenCiel
What is Johannisberg better known as?
Sylvaner
What is Ermitage better known as?
Marsanne
What is Malvoisie better known as?
Pinot Gris
How is a Valais Grand Cru AOC determined?
Indigenous local varieties. Each grand cru determines the varieties best suited to the terroir.
Restrictions on viticulture, vine age,
Higher must weight requirement
Controlled, bottled in Valais; must pass a tasting panel.
Name two notable indigenous red grapes of Valais.
Cornalin
Humagne Rouge
Name two notable indigenous white grapes of Valais.
Humagne Blanc (not related to Humagne Rouge) Heida (aka Païen, aka Savagnin) Rèze Petite Arvine Amigne
What is the Vaud’s major climatic influence?
The moderating influence of Lac Léman
80% of Vaud’s vineyard area is devoted to one variety. What is it?
Chasselas
What is the synonym for Chasselas in Vaud?
Dorin
What is Dorin?
Synonym for Chasselas in Vaud
What is the difference between Dorin and Fendant?
Same variety - Chasselas
Dorin = Vaud
Fendant = Valais
What is Salvagnin?
A red wine produced in Vaud.
Gamay (min 50%), Pinot Noir and two local crossings - Gamaret and/or Garanoir
What are the six regional AOCs of Vaud?
Lavaux AOC La Côte AOC Chablais AOC Vully AOC Côtes de l'Orbe AOC Bonvillars AOC
Are Vin Doux Naturel, Vendages Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles allowed in Vaud?
Yes
What are the two Grands Cru of Vaud?
Calamin (7ha)
Dézaley (65ha)
In which AOC are the two Grands Cru of Vaud located?
Lavaux AOC
When did Vaud Premier Grands Cru classification originate?
2012
What are the most important varieties in Geneva canton?
Chasselas
Chardonnay
Gamay
Pinot Noir
What are the major climatic influences on Geneva?
Moderating influence of Lac Léman
Steep slopes mitigate frost risk
Which two rivers flow through Geneva canton?
Rhône
Arve
What is Geneva Grand Cru AOC?
An individual wine cuvée can be awarded ‘Grand Cru’ status by an official tasting panel. The classification is for that particular wine in that particular vintage, not ongoing.
Where is Ticino AOC?
An alpine region in Italian Switzerland, near the Italian border (Lombardy)
Describe the climate and location of Ticino DOC
Southern slope of Swiss Alps
Experiences a sunny climate, some Mediterranean influence
Higher rainfall (causes Föhn on other side of Alps) is beneficial but can also cause hail
What is the main variety of Ticino DOC?
Merlot - 90% of plantings
What are the two subregions of Ticino DOC?
Sopraceneri (Above Mt Ceneri - remember soprano sings high notes)
Sottoceneri (Below Mt Ceneri, near Lake Lugano - remember sotto voce is a low whisper)
What is the notable indigenous red variety of Ticino DOC?
Bondola
Where is Neuchâtel AOC?
Western Switzerland, surrounding Lac de Neuchâtel
What are the main varieties of Neuchâtel AOC?
Chasselas
Pinot Noir
What is the main soil type of Neuchâtel AOC?
Limestone
What is Œil-de-Perdrix?
A rosé from Neuchâtel AOC made from 100% Pinot Noir
*originated here, but canton did not protect the name
What is Perdrix blanc?
A still white wine from Neuchâtel AOC made from 100% Pinot Noir
What is Neuchâtel Non Filtré?
A wine bottled off of the lees without filtering. Can be slightly sparkling.
Released on the third Wednesday in January in Neuchâtel town hall
What is the other name for Neuchâtel AOC?
Three Lakes
What is the most important grape variety of German-speaking Switzerland?
Pinot Noir
Around Zürich
What is ‘La Gerle’?
A label given to a wine from Neuchâtel made from Chasselas which has passed a tasting and examination panel
What is Clevener from the German Swiss wine producing area?
Pinot Noir
