Untangling Wine Competitions: What Wine Medals Reveal About Quality

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”.

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