Swiss wine is like a neatly packed, miniature treasure box, and the Swiss wine story is long and twisting.
Evidence indicates that grapes were cultivated almost 3000 years ago in Valais. Wine grapes are often grown on steep slopes and Swiss wine production is labor-intensive. Yet, through the centuries, Swiss wine production has survived blight, pests, wars, and famine. Today, Swiss wine production is a pragmatic blend of tradition and modernization. The Swiss wine market is thriving, and Swiss wine is regularly winning international awards.
Switzerland is small. Being covered with mountains, lakes, and forests, not to mention people, railroads, and banks, it doesn't leave much room for wine grapes. Yet crammed in this limited space are over 100 varieties of grapes that are used in Swiss wine production. In Switzerland, you can find a diversity of styles, from subtle, elegant white wines, to hearty reds that would be at home at a medieval feast, to succulent, honey-tinged Ice wines that rival the Sauternes.
The more I investigated the more I got hooked, and frustrated. There's plenty of general information on wine, but very little specifically about Swiss wine. Luckily, there are a couple of non-English sites about Swiss wine, some are obvious labors of love, and I am indebted to these sites as they were helpful in getting me started. More importantly, they planted the seed which you see developing on this website.
With Fine Swiss Wine, I want to create a website where someone interested in Swiss wine, like me, could find what they're looking for. This website has some general wine information, but mostly it's about the diverse world of Swiss wine.
"In a civilized country, they drink wine." - Charlie Chaplin
