Botrytis cinerea, or nobel rot, is a gray mold that infects a variety of plants, including wine grapes here in Switzerland. When it forms on grapes it’s called Botrytis Bunch Rot. In contrast to its unpleasant appearance, its effect on wine grapes can be quite pleasant. In short, the Botrytis cinerea fungus pierces grape skins causing dehydration, which concentrates the sugar in the remaining juice. The resulting sweet wine can be exquisite.

Although sometimes called the “queen of grapes, Pinot noir is not one of the superstars of wine, not yet at least, but it certainly has a cult following. It’s subtle and mysterious nature appeals to the individualist and its versatile qualities gratify the onephile.

One could think this Burgundy grape is a criminal on the run in Switzerland, given all the names it goes by here. In the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Neuchâtel it may be called Cortaillod or Salvagnin noir. In Ticino it’s sometimes Pinot nero, and in the German-speaking areas; Blauburgunder and Klevner (or Clevner). Generally though it’s Pinot noir in most of Switzerland and Blauburgunder in the German-speaking areas.

An extensive list and description of grapes used in Switzerland for wine making, including a few rare and indigenous varieties. The grapes here include some of the first grapes cultivated anywhere, and some are found nowhere else.

The list is continuously updated.

Recent excavations by the University in Basel, in sediment from Lake du Mont d’Orge, has provided evidence (increases in pollen concentrations), that grapes were cultivated in Valais, Switzerland, almost 3000 years ago.

Thanks to current efforts on the part of some of the vinyards in Valais, you can now find wine made with some of the first grapes ever cultivated, grapes found nowhere else.