Exploring the wines of Switzerland at the WSET school in London

Buying a bottle of wine at the last minute is sometimes easier said than done. The selection in the store seems endless – how does one even decide? Golden or silver stickers provide relief: they indicate that the wine in question has performed well in a competition. However, these medals are not such a clear quality seal. In Switzerland and abroad, there is an overwhelming number of awards and honours. And not every competition has the same reputation. When winemakers want to enter a wine into competition, they must pay a fee, which can quickly amount to over 100 Swiss francs. At the competition, a panel of experts tastes the wines "blind," meaning they do not know the producer or the wine's region of origin. The jury members evaluate aspects such as appearance, aroma, and taste of the wine. Not all wine competitions are reputable In Switzerland, all competitions adhere to the guidelines of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) . Based in Dijon, France, the association represents the interests of viticulture in currently 50 member states across all continents. It is responsible for research and technification, sets standards, and provides recommendations for wine production. The OIV recommends limiting the number of medals to 30 percent of participants. This means that after a competition, up to one-third of the wines can be adorned with a sticker. However, there are less reputable awards where more than half of the submitted wines receive an award. Some competitions target local or national participants, while others have an international field (e. g. , Concours Mondial de Bruxelles or Decanter World Wine Awards ). There are awards focused on a single grape variety (e. g. , Mondial du Chasselas or Mondial des Pinots ) and those with a wide range of categories (e. g. , Grand Prix du Vin Suisse ). Medals are awarded based on a certain score: if a wine achieves at least 82 points, it receives silver; gold is awarded from 85 points, and the so-called "grand gold" from 92 points. Medals can provide guidance But beware: they should not be confused with ratings or labels . Ratings are evaluations, rarely "blind," given by wine critics or journalists (e. g. , Robert Parker). Labels such as IP-Suisse, Bio-Knospe, Demeter, or Vinatura provide information primarily about the production of the wine and less about its taste quality. So, for those feeling overwhelmed in front of the wine aisle, relying on medals for decision-making is acceptable. However, they are not the sole indicator of high quality. Some Swiss winemakers never participate in competitions, even though they produce top-quality wines. Ultimately, wine remains a matter of taste: what pleases one person may not necessarily please another. Overview of competitions supported by Swiss Wine National Competitions Grand Prix du Vin Suisse : Organized by Vinum magazine and the Vinea association, this competition annually honors the best Swiss wines and their producers. Mondial du Chasselas : Since 2012, the association for the promotion of Chasselas annually honors the best Chasselas wines in the world. Mondial du Merlot & Assemblages : A major wine award for producers, retailers, and importers of wines made from the Merlot grape or blends with Merlot, organized by Vinea. Mondial des Pinots : The Vinea association organizes the only competition dedicated solely to wines made from the Pinot grape variety. International Competitions Concours Mondial de Bruxelles : This international competition is divided into four different tastings to ensure each wine is evaluated appropriately and professionally. Decanter World Wine Awards : At this prestigious competition, leading wine experts from around the world in London evaluate over 17,200 wines annually. Sélection Mondiale des Vins Canada : The largest international wine competition in North America is among the most prestigious awards in the world.

ProWein, the world's most important wine and spirits fair, took place in Düsseldorf in mid-March. Swiss Wine Promotion (SWP) presented a large selection of Swiss wines in the midst of major wine nations. ProWein, the international wine and spirits fair in Düsseldorf, held its 30th edition from 10 to 12 March 2024 and welcomed around 38,000 trade visitors. Guests from all over the world met winemakers from Switzerland at the Swiss Wine Promotion (SWP) stand. Visitors were greeted by a stand with a rustic look, including a wooden chalet. In one area, they were able to taste Swiss wines free of charge. In total, there were over 100 different wines from producers in Switzerland to choose from. Thirteen local wineries were represented at the fair: Albert Mathier & Söhne AG (Valais) Bonvin 1858 ( Valais ) Domaine Jean-René Germanier SA ( Valais ) Le Vin de l’A ( Valais ) Cave de La Côte (Vaud) Schenk Suisse S. A. ( Vaud ) Branchenverband Deutschschweizer Wein Rötiberg-Kellerei (Schaffhausen) vinigma gmbh (Basel) Wine by JET (Zurich) Castello di Cantone – Vecchia Masseria (Ticino) Vini Delea Angelo SA (Ticino) Caves du Château d’Auvernier Henry Aloys Grosjean (Neuchâtel) What facets can a Chasselas have? What makes the Neuchâtel Non filtré so special? Visitors were able to explore these and other questions in six masterclasses. With over 200 participants, they were a great success. The wine battle organised by Falstaff magazine pitted the small wine nation of Switzerland against the wine giant Italy. Despite the unequal opponents, it was a close race. In the final vote, Switzerland was ultimately able to win a draw.

The “Semaine du Goût”, which will take place from September 12th to 22nd, is a national celebration dedicated to the flavors and culinary diversity of Switzerland. This week aims to promote local products, raise awareness about the importance of sustainability, and encourage the population to discover the culinary riches of the country. Join us for an unforgettable tasting experience, where you can sample exceptional wines, enjoy delicious dishes, and explore Swiss culinary traditions. For this edition, Gian-Battista von Tscharner and his son Johann-Baptista, winemakers and owners of the Reichenau castle , have been chosen as godfathers of the 2024 “ Semaine du Goût ”. This is only the second time in the history of this national event that a winemaker has been selected as an ambassador of Taste, following Marie-Thérèse Chappaz in 2009. What makes this year's event even more special is that father and son will jointly represent Swiss Taste. Perched at the confluence of the anterior and posterior Rhine, Reichenau Castle enjoys a privileged location as the gateway to the ancient trade route between Chur and Tirano, the entrance to Italy. This trade route has turned into a culinary journey leading to Engadine and Valposchiavo via the Bernina Pass. Within the walls of Reichenau Castle reside the Von Tscharner winemakers, renowned as some of the best in Switzerland. Their vineyard was among the first to be admitted to the "Mémoire des vins suisses" association in 2004, highlighting the aging potential of Swiss wines, with their Pinot Noir leading the way. Additionally, they are captivated by the lesser-known grape variety Completer, which they describe as the "Queen of Swiss white wines. " In addition to winemaking, the winemaking cultivate nearly two tons of asparagus each year in sandy soils along the Rhine. Nicolas Joss, director of Swiss Wine Promotion, describes the Von Tscharner duo as "generous, colorful, and passionate ambassadors, reflecting their wines that illuminate Swiss wine. " From September 12th to 22nd, explore the richness of the Swiss terroir and discover the essence of Swiss winemaking with Gian-Battista and Johann-Baptista von Tscharner, the passionate ambassadors of the “Semaine du Goût”.