The “Semaine du Goût”: Two winemakers godfathers of the 2024 edition!

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.

After a stop in the French capital at the Wine Paris & Vinexpo fair, Swiss wines will be heading to the ProWein international wine and spirits trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, from March 10th to 12th. For three days, there will be seven masterclasses on various themes. At the Swiss Wine stand, Hall 4 | booth C20, there will be a tasting area with over 50 references and the presence of 17 wineries: Albert Mathier & Söhne AG Since 1387, the Mathier family has been cultivating vines in Salquenen. Founded by Albert Mathier in 1891, the winery is a small family business. With 60 hectares of vineyards, they cultivate 30 grape varieties, including biodynamic and natural wines since 2008. A winemaking tradition enriched by years of experience, offering unique and authentic wines from vine to bottle. Bonvin 1858 Founded in 1858, Bonvin is the oldest wine house in Valais, renowned for its controlled designation of origin appellations. On 23. 5 hectares of south-facing terraced slopes, Charles Bonvin cultivates vines on limestone shale soils, producing remarkably mineral wines. In 1992, Bonvin joined forces with Philippe Varone. Together, they founded the Celliers de Champsec and developed synergies while creating Switzerland's first Oenoparc. The Bonvin house has received numerous awards and the title of "Swiss Winery of the Year" in 2024. This reflects a passion and artisanal know-how honed over more than 150 years. Today, the Celliers offer a unique meeting place between vine artisans and wine lovers. Castello di Cantone - Vecchia Masseria Nestled in Rancate (Ticino), Castello di Cantone extends over 5 hectares of carefully selected vineyards dating back to the 1990s. Merlot, the king of local grape varieties, is meticulously selected to create elegant and structured wines. The delicate process of grape drying, followed by vinification in concrete tanks and aging in barrels, gives rise to high-quality wines. The unique microclimate, influenced by Lake Lugano and the majestic Mount San Giorgio, gives the wines an incomparable aromatic complexity. Cave de la Côte Founded in 1929, Cave de La Côte embodies the tradition and innovation of Vaud viticulture. With 300 artisans on 450 hectares, it represents a quarter of the vineyard in the La Côte region on the shores of Lake Geneva (between Lausanne and Geneva). The winery vinifies renowned estates such as Château de Malessert and Domaine Kursner. Committed to organic viticulture, it was crowned Swiss Winery of the Year in 2019 and 2021 with Domaine Kursner, reflecting its commitment to sustainable culture. Caves du Château d'Auvernier Henry Aloys Grosjean Since 1603, Château d'Auvernier has perpetuated a winemaking tradition dating back four centuries, focusing on organic farming and respect for nature. Under the direction of the 15th generation represented by Henry Aloys Grosjean, the estate aims for energy self-sufficiency by 2030, adopting sustainable practices such as solar tiles and wood heating. Located near Lake Neuchâtel, the estate cultivates 60 hectares of vineyards, with 16 hectares belonging to the Caves du Château d'Auvernier. With limestone soils and geographical proximity to the Burgundy terroir, this vineyard produces a diverse range of quality wines. Le Vin de l'A Le Vin de l'A , created by Alex Stauffer in 2018, covers 4 hectares in Flanthey (Valais). Following lunar cycles, their vineyards are naturally grassed. Their philosophy: to produce authentic Valais wines without chemicals. With natural winemaking methods, such as fermentation with indigenous yeasts and no sulfites, and aging in terracotta and oak barrels, their wines express the purity of Valais grape varieties, offering vibrant and distinctive aromas. Rötiberg-Kellerei In northern Switzerland, Klettgau is a region shaped by the Rhine for millennia. The winemaking villages of Wilchingen, Osterfingen, and Trasadingen are home to vineyards where wines are crafted with great care. Rötiberg winery, founded in 2001 by winemakers, embodies innovation and creativity, producing sustainable and memorable wines from Schaffhausen. The winery is run by a young and dynamic team that prioritizes showcasing the quality of its wines. Since 2020, the winery has been undergoing organic conversion. Maison Henri Badoux The Murailles d'Aigle, heart of Aigle les Murailles Chasselas, nestled in the heart of the Vaud Chablais, have been the legacy of Henri Badoux since 1908. Under the expert eye of Marjorie Bonvin, oenologist at Maison Henri Badoux , the winemakers provide care and expertise to each vine, extracting a fruity Chasselas that reveals the quintessence of this unique terroir. Vini Delea Angelo SA Founded in 1983 in Losone, in the heart of Ticino, Delea embodies a history of winemaking excellence. Under the passionate leadership of Angelo Delea and his sons David and Cesare, the company combines tradition and innovation. Thanks to Ticino's mild microclimate and fertile soil, it produces award-winning wines such as Diamante, Carato Merlot, Carato Riserva, and many more. With 20 hectares of vineyards and a team of over 40 people, Delea is committed to offering a unique experience with every tasting. Guided tours and events held at the production site allow visitors to discover the art of winemaking. Vinigma GmbH Vinigma , Basel's urban winery, stands out for its quality, innovative Swiss wines with a strong character. In collaboration with long-standing partners, top-quality grapes are vinified from various regions of Switzerland. Wine by JET Wine by JET , a winery on the shores of Lake Zurich, embodies exceptional terroir wines. Guided by Jonas Ettlin, Wine by JET celebrates nature by adopting a strict organic approach, from vineyard to cellar. Their commitment to quality shines through in every bottle, the result of meticulous vineyard cultivation and natural cellar processes. Their Bio-Suisse certification reflects their commitment to a sustainable viticultural future. Wineries of German-speaking Switzerland The regional promotion body of German-speaking Switzerland presents six wineries from three cantons: Schaffhausen, Zurich, and Graubünden. This overview allows you to discover the diversity of the German-speaking wine terroir. Weingut Diederik Ueli & Jürg Liesch – Weingut Treib Lüthi Weinbau Schwarzenbach Weinbau Dreistand WeinStamm