In Switzerland's wine-producing regions, which include Valais, Vaud, German-speaking Switzerland, Geneva, Ticino and the Three-Lakes region, over 2,500 winegrowers cultivate 14,696 hectares of vineyards.
The special relief of the Swiss vineyards leads to viticulture on a human scale, where the winemaker's hand is the most important tool in helping the grapes to ripen.
Switzerland offers numerous wine tourism destinations and activities in the heart of the Alps. A wide variety of landscapes and grape varieties ensure exciting experiences.
Pairing wine and food doesn't have to be complicated. We show how the right wine can perfectly round off a dish.
From the grapevine to the wine glass: discover fascinating insights about wine, learn technical terms, and deepen your knowledge with our wine courses.
Merlot
Grape variety Red
About the grape variety
A grape variety from Gironde (F), Merlot is part of the blend of great Bordeaux wines. Its name likely comes from the French word "Merle" (blackbird, in English) which particularly appreciates its berries. Its parents were discovered through DNA testing: it is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, an old grape variety that recently came close to extinction. Merlot is a half-brother of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (Cot) and Carmenère. In Switzerland, this easy-to-grow but susceptible to mildew grape variety was introduced in the middle of the 19th century in the canton of Vaud, but it was in Ticino that it flourished, becoming the canton's emblematic symbol after its introduction in 1906, following the outbreak of phylloxera.
Features
Merlot offers wines with notes of roasted coffee, burnt cherry, wild berries and chocolate. It has supple tannins and a dark robe with purplish highlights.
Distribution of grape varieties
Merlot is grown in several wine regions
71%
11%
6%
4%
3%
1%
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