Second Edition of Swiss Wine Week in New York

In a barrel, with a view of the starry sky or floating on the water - Grape Escapes offers unique overnight stays near Swiss vineyards. And because sometimes things can be a little more unusual, here are six suggestions for truly unforgettable experiences: Sleeping in a Valais wine barrel at Chalet Diognysos Sleeping in a wooden barrel is not for people with claustrophobia. However, if you can handle being surrounded by seven-centimetre-thick oak planks, you should definitely venture into the wine barrel at Chalet Diognysos for a night. In winter, the barrel serves as a fondue and raclette parlour, while in summer it is transformed into a room with a double bed and romantic lighting. The barrel is located in the vineyards of Diogne, below Crans Montana - and offers a magnificent view of the Valais Alps. Spend the night in the Vaud vineyard cottage La Capite The La Capite vineyard cottage in Cully was once used by winegrowers who wanted to take a break from their hard work. Today, the charming cottage in the middle of the Vaud vineyards can be rented for an overnight stay. There is no running water, electricity or heating here - these amenities are available in the family home just a few steps away. In the ‘Capite’ itself, antique furniture, a creaky wooden floor and an unbeatable view over Lake Geneva await guests. Slumber in seclusion in the Curzútt bird box in Ticino Don't be fooled by the name: The Birdbox Curzútt is not a small bird house, but stylish accommodation equipped with every comfort. The box is located above Bellinzona and is best reached by the Monte Carasso - Mornera cable car. The Birdbox boasts large windows with views of St Barnárd's Church, the surrounding vineyards and nature. A furnished terrace is available for a romantic aperitif for two. Lying under the stars in the Bubble Hotel at Kartause Ittingen Anyone who has booked a night at the Bubble Hotel in Thurgau should hope for a clear sky - because then it is possible to look for constellations directly from your bed. But the exclusive accommodation at Kartause Ittingen in Thurgau is also a real eye-catcher during the day. The transparent spherical tent is surrounded by nature and offers a view over the vineyards and the river Thur. An overnight stay not only includes breakfast, but also an e-bike per person. A bed on wheels on a bike safari in eastern Switzerland If you decide to go on a bike safari through Schaffhausen or Thurgau, you first have to earn the view of the picturesque vineyards. But don't worry, it's not that strenuous: you and your companion are travelling on fast e-bikes and always have your bed with you. The canvas tent permanently installed on the cargo bike provides a place to sleep with a mattress, perfect for cosy nights for two. There are chairs and a table for relaxing at the campsite. A regional breakfast is served in the morning. Travelling on the Three Lakes with the Boutique Boatel Attila A trip on Switzerland's only hotel cruise ship is the perfect way to discover the vineyards around the Jura lakes. While guests relax in one of the nine double cabins or the Captain's Lounge of the Boutique Boatel Attila , they sail across lakes Biel, Murten and Neuchâtel. Along the way, the former cargo ship makes stops for tastings at winegrowers, excursions into the wine region or dinners in selected restaurants. Fancy a refreshing dip? The lake is just a jump away from your bed. Grape Escapes Looking for relaxation and enjoyment in the heart of Switzerland's most beautiful wine regions? At Grape Escapes, around 60 accommodations invite you to spend the night in the vineyards or with a view of them. From chic boutique hotels to simple Räbhüsli, everything is included. What they all have in common is a connection to wine and the vines. You can find an overview of all accommodation here .

Graubünden barley soup in January What could be better than a bowl of hot soup after a walk in cold temperatures? Graubünden barley soup is a particularly tasty soul-warming dish. As a general rule, things from the same region go together. For example, a Pinot Noir from the Bündner Herrschaft region harmonises well with this nutritious soup. You can find a recipe for Graubünden barley soup here . Polenta in February Another dish for cold days is a Ticino polenta with beef ragout - or in a vegetarian version with vegetable ragout. The dish requires a wine that can hold its own, preferably a strong, structured red wine. A Merlot from Ticino or a Pinot Noir from Valais are therefore ideal. If you would like to cook polenta with braised beef, you will find the right recipe here . Fondue or raclette in March Before winter finally says goodbye, it's time for some melted cheese. For raclette or fondue, you can't go wrong with a Chasselas or Fendant from Valais. A fruity, light red wine is also suitable. But beware: melted cheese and lots of tannins do not harmonise with each other, so the wine with fondue and raclette should not be aged in barriques. You can find tips and tricks for preparing the perfect fondue here . Zürcher Geschnetzeltes in April Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is considered the Swiss national dish. The ragout of veal and mushrooms in a white wine sauce is traditionally served with rösti. This classic dish goes well with a full-bodied white wine such as Chardonnay or a light, fruity Pinot Noir. These wines complement the creaminess and add freshness. You can find a recipe for Zürcher Geschnetzeltes here . Asparagus in May The first Swiss asparagus can be harvested in May at the latest. However, its slightly bitter flavour makes it a difficult partner when it comes to wine. One of the most important tips is to avoid red wine - especially wines rich in tannins or aged in oak. A strong Chardonnay, on the other hand, is a suitable accompaniment to asparagus with Hollandaise sauce. There are many asparagus recipes. Find inspiration for new creations here . Strawberry tarts in June There are also wines to go with sweet dishes. Sparkling wines are a heavenly combination with fresh strawberries. Choose a rather dry one, as this balances out the sweetness of the strawberries. Fresh rosé wines also go well with strawberry tarts as a dessert, as many of them contain strawberry flavours. If you want to make your own strawberry tarts from A to Z, you can find the right recipe here . Fresh fish in July On hot summer days, you are drawn to the water. Local fish is often on the menu in restaurants on Swiss lakes. Fresh, sparkling white wines without barrique ageing and without residual sweetness - such as Pinot Gris or Silvaner - go well with butter-fried perch, whitefish and zander. Tannin-rich red wines and the delicate protein of fish, on the other hand, are not particularly compatible. You can find a recipe for perch fillets à la meunière here . Cervelat from the barbecue in August On Swiss National Day, a cervelat often ends up on the barbecue. Of course, a cold beer goes well with the traditional sausage - but it can also be combined with wine. The roasted flavours of a grilled cervelat harmonise particularly well with a fruity red wine that is low in tannins. A Pinot Noir from Valais or a smooth Geneva Gamay are perfect companions for 1 August. If you want to add a little extra flavour to your grilled sausage, try this recipe for a homemade Cervelat skewer. Valais cholera in September Cholera is a typical Valais speciality: a hearty cake made from leek, potatoes, Valais mountain cheese and apples. If you want to stay in the same canton when choosing your wine, opt for a fruity Fendant or a Heida, for example. If you prefer a red wine by the glass, opt for a light Gamay. You can find a recipe for original Valais cholera here . Bratwurst with hash browns in October When the temperatures start to drop, it's time to serve up a typical Swiss comfort dish: Bratwurst with onion sauce and hash browns, called Rösti in Switzerland. A full-bodied and fruity red wine is recommended to go with it, but it should not overpower the flavour of the sausage. How about a Pinot Noir from Eastern Switzerland? You can find delicious Rösti recipes here . Älplermagronen in November If you are looking for the right wine to go with a dish, you can use the "weight" as a guide. In other words: heavy food calls for heavy wine. A lavish pasta dish with onions and a generous amount of cheese should therefore not be paired with a wine that is too light. For example, a buttery Chardonnay or a full-bodied red wine goes well with Älplermagronen. Find out how celebrity chef Andreas Caminada prepares his Älplermagronen here . Fondue Chinoise in December A full-bodied and spicy red wine emphasises the flavour and goes perfectly with fondue chinoise. Fruity red wines also provide a nice balance. Recommended wine varieties are Syrah, Gamaret, Cornalin, Humagne or Merlot. If you prefer white wine, you should opt for a full-bodied wine that has matured in oak barrels, such as a Chardonnay or a Heida. You can find a recipe for a very special fondue chinoise here .

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.