Swiss wines have never been higher-quality than now, and yet are affordable alternatives to foreign stars. finews.com's wine writer Peter Keller picks six bargains.
With consumers reining in their spending after Christmas, expensive wine is often hard to justify on a budget. Wines from Switzerland – seldom pricier than 100 Swiss francs ($113) per bottle, unlike products from Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Tuscany – stand out as an affordable alternative.
The quality of Swiss wine has also massively improved in recent years, though little of it is exported abroad. Switzerland can't compete in mass-market wine, where France, Spain, Chile, and others can still produce less expensively.
But just beyond the mass market, beginning at 15 francs, Switzerland has many wonderful crus to offer. Here are six suggestions:
1. Raeuschling 2019, Bachmann in Staefa
This speciality white is grown lakeside outside of Zurich. Wine-grower Bachmann product is harmonious, typical for its varietal, and has a fruity-floral aroma.
The white, from the family-owned vineyard operated byTheres andJonathan Bachmann, is dry, fresh, and elegant (19 francs).
2. Aligoté le Coin d’Or 2018, Domaine du Paradis in Satigny
The white varietal is popular in Burgundy but not widely grown in Switzerland: the harmonious, fresh, and discreet in aroma white wine pairs well with freshwater fish.
Domaine du Paradis offers a good and affordable product, rich and with hints of citrus, with a slightly salty finish (16.50 francs).
3. Petit Clos Grand Cru 2019, Domaine La Colombe in Féchy
Run by the Paccot family, Domaine La Colombe is among Vaud's best producers, and uses biodynamic production methods. The wine is dry, dense, fresh, rich, and with a slightly salty lingering finish. Petit Clos, grown on clay limestone-rich soil at 500 meters, is 17 francs per bottle.
4. Sottoroccia 2018, Tenuta San Giorgio in Cassina d’Agno
Vintner Mike Rudolph's first wine is a successful marriage of Merlot, some Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruitiness, spice, and structure harmonize in this unfussy and acccessible wine. Rich, elegant, and strong in finish, this wine is versatile (19.50 francs).
5. Gamay de Branson 2018, Cave de l’Orlaya in Fully
Gamay, originally from Beaujolais, is the wallflower of varietals, though it reliably delivers lighter weight, quaffable wines with fruity notes – as does the production of Cave de l'Orlaya.
The French owner and vintner Mathilde Roux has completely restructured the vineyard and produces superb wines true to their origins( 19 francs).
6. Pinot noir Aime Terre 2019, Javet & Javet in Vully
The Javet vineyard overlooking Lake Murten is the ideal setting for the vineyard's Pinot noir varietal to flourish. The wine is a dense, well-structured wine full of finesse. Produced biodynamically, the wine sells for 19 francs.
Peter Keller is a wine curator and journalist for Swiss weekly «NZZ am Sonntag»
