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THE WINE REGIONS AND CLASSIFICATIONS  OF SWIZTERLAND

The climate and soils of Switzerland differ drastically from other areas of Europe. Shaped by the formation of the Alps, the country’s climate is greatly impacted by the Foehn Alpine winds. The glacial movements of the last Ice Age created at least fifteen different soil types across the country, each boasting countless sub-variations derived from the rich Morainic deposits which dot the landscape. These basic macro climatic elements create conditions of incredible diversity for the production of great wine, further influenced by Switzerland’s main water sources, of which four rivers and seven lakes are critical.

Regions of Swizterland

The climate and soils of Switzerland differ drastically from other areas of Europe. Shaped by the formation of the Alps, the country’s climate is greatly impacted by the Foehn Alpine winds. The glacial movements of the last Ice Age created at least fifteen different soil types across the country, each boasting countless sub-variations derived from the rich Morainic deposits which dot the landscape. These basic macro climatic elements create conditions of incredible diversity for the production of great wine, further influenced by Switzerland’s main water sources, of which four rivers and seven lakes are critical.

Swiss Growing Region Map Working File copy.png

THE WINE CLASSIFICATIONS OF SWIZTERLAND

The six regions of Switzerland are home to twenty-six wine growing cantons and sixty-two different appellations of origin. These appellations, governed by the Appellation d’Origine Controlee system that is found throughout much of Europe, carry the following designations:

AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlle)

A wine produced within a regulated production zone that has distinct geographic boundaries (or terroir). Wines carrying the AOC certification are regulated by the applicable regional governments and are required to meet certain production standards. They must employ recognized or traditional methods of production and the certification should underscore key characteristics which are unique to the specific wine or geographic area. The wines in question must be aged within the AOC’ s geographic area.

AOC Grand Cru

Historically employed to denote the best vineyards or highest quality production zone of a given AOC, AOC Grand Cru wines are harvested and produced at a higher sugar level than their AOC counterparts. The Grand Cru classification should reference a smaller, more strictly controlled area of production (typically a single village or small commune) from which the wine must be exclusively sourced.

AOC Premier Cru

A designation that is synonymous with AOC Grand Cru in its denotation of the best vineyards or higher quality. In Switzerland, use of the AOC Premier Cru is confined to the region of Geneva (which has 22 designated AOC Premier Cru).

AOC Premier Grand Cru

A designation that is synonymous with AOC Grand Cru in its denotation of the best vineyards or higher quality. In Switzerland, use of the AOC Premier Grand Cru is confined to the region of Vaud (which has 27 designated AOC Premier Cru).

WINERY INDEX BY REGION

GENEVA

GERMAN-SWISS

WEINBAU COTTINELLI - AOC Graubunden

3 LAKES

DOMAINE GRISONI - AOC Neuchatel

GRILLETTE - AOC Neuchate​l

VAUD

VALAIS

MAISON ROUGE - AOC Valais-Chamoson

ST. JODERN KELLEREI - AOC Valais-Visperterminen

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