There have always been a lot of enticing reasons to visit Switzerland. After all, it’s a nation known for both chocolate and cheese — what’s not to love? Add in the beauty of the Alps and no shortage of sports offerings, and the allure of Switzerland is nearly impossible to ignore.
And with a thriving wine scene just waiting to be discovered, now’s a better time than ever to put Switzerland at the top of your travel list.
While destinations like France and Italy tend to steal Europe’s vino spotlight, Swiss regions like Valais (which produces about half of the country’s wine), Geneva and Watch Valley are some of Europe’s top undiscovered wine countries.
Whether you fancy yourself a glass of red or white, you’ll find plenty to sip across Switzerland. The country’s premier local grape, the chasselas, creates a white wine that pairs perfectly with a hot pot of creamy fondue. Meanwhile, red wine fans will appreciate the country’s affinity for growing grapes like pinot noir. Luckily, you don’t have to choose: You’ll find most of Switzerland’s chasselas and pinot noir grapes are grown in Valais.
Rolling vineyards surround the shores of Lake Geneva, as well, where you’ll find quaint wineries are experimenting beyond Switzerland’s beloved chasselas with a growing repertoire of classic varieties. Speaking of classic varieties, you’ll find vineyards overflowing with merlot and pinot noir over in the culturally Italian region of Ticino, too.
Since winemaking is largely a family affair throughout the country, most of Switzerland’s boutique wineries are open by appointment or on designated tasting days. Considering the vast majority of Swiss wines never travel beyond their villages, a taste of what the region has to offer is worth a wine trip to Switzerland.
(Main image: Uncalno)
