Good Swiss wines for the January hole
January is considered a savings month. Anyone who wants to spend little money on good wine will also find what they are looking for in Switzerland. This is shown by the six examples of finews.ch-Wine editor Peter Keller for less than 20 francs.
Switzerland has the reputation of a high-price country. Also with wine. The reasons are obvious. A lot of manual work is required in the vineyards. The quantities produced are more distinguishable. Land prices and wages are higher than abroad. Since the domestic goods have no chance compared to mass production from abroad.
Diversity is a top priority on the small vineyard area of around 15,000 hectares. In addition to the dominant Pinot Noir, Chasselas, Gamay, Merlot and Riesling-Silvaner, countless specialties are cultivated in all six Swiss growing regions. In no other country is the diversity so great.
Six selected crus from six growing areas
The quality is also impressive, because the level has improved dramatically in the last 20 years. The local wines have their price. But excellent examples can also be found in the range up to 20 francs.
That’s what our six selected crus from the six growing regions of Valais, Vaud, Three Lakes Region, German-speaking Switzerland, Ticino and Geneva have. They don’t cost more than 20 francs and are therefore the right recommendations for the savings month of January.
1. Valais: Cuvée Rouge 2021, Cave du Rhodan, Salgesch
(Image: Christian Pfammatter@Rhodan’s Cave)
to die Rhodan’s Cave was awarded «Swiss Winery of the Year» in 2022. Owner Olivier and Sandra Mounir (picture above) produce a range of different wines in a sustainable manner, which in each case are typical of the variety and origin.
The Cuvée Rouge consists of Pinot Noir, Gamay and Gamaret and is a fresh, fruity, uncomplicated wine with spiciness and juiciness (price: CHF 16.50).
2. Vaud: Chasselas Brez Grand Cru 2021, Domaine La Colombe, Féchy
(Image: La Colombe)
to die Domain of La Colombe (picture above) from Raymond Paccot and his daughter laura presses fine terroir wines. The Chasselas from different sites are subtle, fresh, elegant, exciting, mineral and never “loud”.
With maturity, complexity and multi-layeredness become apparent – also with the Brez Grand Cru, which grows on gravelly, deep limestone soil. The price for this quality is unbeatable (price: CHF 17.50).
3. German-speaking Switzerland: Pinot Noir 2021, Weingut Hansruedi Adank, Fläsch
(Image: Adank)
The Bündner Herrschaft is an Eldorado for Pinot Noir. The grape variety considered to be a diva is from Athank Winery (picture above) masterfully interpreted – from the base to the valuable and rare site wines.
They work according to biological principles and press varietal, expressive and exciting wines. This also applies to the “simple”, fruity and stimulating Pinot Noir 2021 (20 francs).
4. Three Lakes Region: Prestige 2021, Le Petit Château, Môtier
(Image: Simonet)
Rarely in the spotlight is the Three Lakes Region (picture above), consisting of Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Biel and Lake Murten. At the last is the Mont Vully cultivation area.
That winery the Simonett family is committed to biodynamic principles and produces unique, exciting wines – such as the white Prestige made from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which is aged in barriques. It is fresh, complex and a good accompaniment to food (price: 20 francs).
5. Ticino: Bondola del Nonu 2020, Azienda Mondò, Sementina
(Image: Azienda Mondò)
Bondola is a so-called autochthonous grape variety (picture above) of Ticino and an interesting alternative to the widespread Merlot. It is rather rustic, tannic and has a fresh acidity. Only a few succeed in pressing really convincing wines.
The best wine produced from this grape Acienda Mondo from Giorgio Rossi. His Bondola del Nonu is aromatic, juicy and of medium weight (price: 20 francs).
6. Geneva: Pinot blanc 2020, Domaine les Hutins, Dardagny
(Image: Domaine les Hutins)
In the Geneva hinterland (picture above) numerous grape varieties feel good. One of the specialties is Pinot Blanc, which is characterized by a rather subtle scent.
to die Domaine les Hutinsone of the flagships of the canton, manages to bottle a fresh, fruity white wine with a good length – at a bargain price (price: 14 francs).