Stunning European wine region you probably never heard of
When you think of wine tasting in Europe, you usually think of France, Spain, Italy or Portugal. Someone with more wine knowledge might consider Croatia or Germany. However, very few people generally think of a country to visit for a wine tasting tour. The reason for this is that Switzerland doesn’t actually use their wine. In fact, only about 1% of their production is exported, mainly to Germany. Because the prices make it difficult for the Swiss to compete with wines from other European regions. With high labor costs and small producers, it is quickly impossible to keep up with other exporting countries.
There are six wine-growing regions in Switzerland, two of which can be reached directly from one of the country’s major airports. One of the best places for a wine-oriented vacation is also around Geneva or Montreux. It’s easy to get from one train station to another with direct connections from Geneva light rail stations and the airport. A break at two centers in Geneva and Montreux would also be a perfect combination if you have the time.
Would it be a useful place to stay in Geneva? Hilton Hotel and Convention Center Close to the airport. Not only is it close to wine regions where you don’t have to fight your way through downtown traffic, but it’s useful for Montreux too. The hotel has a free shuttle service that takes you straight to the airport train station, as the drive to Montreux takes just over an hour. After an eventful day there is a beautiful outdoor terrace and the largest hotel pool in Geneva in the summer months.
The Cliffs of Geneva is the third largest wine-growing region in Switzerland with three different regions: the river droit – the right bank of the lake, including the village of Satigny, which has the highest concentration of vineyards in Switzerland. There is also the entrance to Arve et Lac on the left bank of the lake and the entrance to Arve et Rhone – between the Arve and Rhone rivers.
One of the new ways to explore the Geneva wine region is by tuk-tuk. Although YOU are more likely to associate this with Thailand, tuk-tuk wine tours are popular around the world. Tuk-tuk for taxi Particularly unique because it offers four seats and can also be used as a mobile restaurant with a built-in wine bucket. After a drive through the breathtaking Geneva landscape with picturesque villages and sunflower fields you arrive Perrier area.
The small village of Peissy has been the family residence since 1794. The beautiful tasting room is opposite the famous bell tower of a millennial church. Knowing where to start your tastings can be difficult as Domaine Les Perrières offers seventeen different grape varieties. That may sound like a lot, but over 200 grape varieties are grown in Switzerland. Some of them are unique to Switzerland and you have probably never heard of them. The most popular are Chasselas (white) and Pinot Noir (red). Other popular varieties are Gamay, Merlot, Humagne Rouge, Arvine, Savagnin Blanc, Gamaret, Garanoir, and Pinot Gris.
In Domaine Les Perrières, Château de Choully 1er Cru AOC is an exquisite wine group with two cuvées named after the beautiful Château Choully estate nearby. The red wine is a mixture of Merlot and Cabernetrbaent Sauvignon and is matured in oak barrels. The wine has a rich color with soft tannins and raspberry notes. If you don’t want a formal tour, there are cellar open days when anyone can try them without pressure to buy anything. These usually occur in spring and harvest time.
While the Geneva region is beautiful, the Lavaux vineyards between Montreux and Lausanne are on a different landscape. The Lavaux region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The massive slopes of the vineyards fall towards Lake Geneva and offer a breathtaking view of the Savoy Alps and the Valais in the background. However, the steepness of the terrain requires that the winemakers develop ingenious techniques for maintaining the slopes, including the small single-rail curbs that carry them up the hill.
There are plenty of fun ways to enjoy the scenery and wine tasting in this amazing region. One possibility is Swiss panorama tours open bus. Your small-group tours give you full panoramic views of the vineyards along with a wine tasting or dinner in a local village. When you’re tired of wine tasting, there are fondue tours too.
Other options are trains or a boat tour. There is an hourly regional train from Vevey station to Puidoux-Chexbres, which travels through the tiered vineyards of Lavaux. If you enjoy hiking or walking, get off at Chexbres-Village train station, where there are many trails through steep terraces. The marked educational trail provides information about each vineyard and the grape varieties grown there. The “Lavaux Panoramic” is a small tourist train with tired wheels that transports visitors from Chexbres village on narrow roads through vineyards with helpful suspension. There is also a boat service that stops at various points along the lake so YOU can view the vineyards from the water.
Montreux, famous for its jazz festival, is an ideal base from which to explore Lavaux. There are beautiful parks on the lake and several luxury hotels and it is only a short drive from Lavaux. The Fairmont Montreux is less than a five-minute walk from the train station, also an excellent place to stay if you want to be out and about. The luxury hotel is located directly on the lakeshore and with its distinctive yellow markings can be easily recognized from afar. In addition to the newly renovated rooms, many of which overlook the lake, there is an outdoor pool on the lake, a large indoor pool and a spa.