China discovers taste for Swiss wines

155 gold medals and 97 silver medals. These are the results of the 19th edition of the Valais Wine Selection, which took place from 3 to 5 September in Sierre.

Embark your young adventurers on a fascinating journey through the Swiss vineyards with the new book 'SWINIS'. This "search and find" book is an invitation to explore the cultural riches and traditional heritage of our country, seen through the eyes of endearing characters and set in beautifully illustrated surroundings. A tour of Switzerland in pages The adventure begins in the Lake Geneva region, passes through historic sites and enchanting landscapes, and then transports you to the picturesque traditions and festivities of Switzerland. From the shores of the Canton of Geneva to the valleys of Ticino, each page is a discovery filled with captivating details to observe and find. Learning by playing It's not just a book; it's a treasure hunt through six emblematic vineyard regions, depicted on richly colored and storied double-pages. Your children will be delighted to find hidden objects on each page, thus stimulating their curiosity and observational skills. An educational tool for everybody "SWINIS" is more than just a children's book. It is an educational tool designed to awaken young people's interest in our cultural heritage and Swiss traditions. Available in German, French, and Italian, it's the perfect gift to introduce children from 2 years old to the joys of discovery and learning. A creative collaboration The book was developed by Val Expérience editions and Swiss Wine Promotion, ensuring authenticity and respect for the traditions and diversity of the Swiss vineyards. The captivating illustrations by the artist Julien Valentini from Sierre add a touch of magic to every page. Don't wait any longer to offer your children a unique and educational experience. "SWINIS - Discover the Swiss Vineyards" is available at www. swinis. ch . Embark on this extraordinary journey and share unforgettable moments with your little explorers!

The international Great Wine Capitals (GWC) network brings together the twelve biggest world capitals that share a major economic and cultural asset: their world-renowned wine region. For the first time, from 22 to 26 October, the City of Lausanne hosted the international network’s General Assembly. 120 delegates had the opportunity to discover Swiss vineyards and a country that sits between innovation and tradition on a conference day hosted by important players in Switzerland's economic, tourism and wine-growing landscape. The Assembly closed on Thursday 26 October with a gala and ceremony for the Regional Best Of Wine Tourism and Global Best of Wine Tourism awards. Established in 1999, the international GWC is the only network in the world to connect wine regions in “old” Europe with the “new” world. GWC aims to promote commercial, tourist and educational exchanges between its twelve member cities: Adelaide | South Australia, Bilbao | Rioja (Spain), Bordeaux (France), Cape Town | Cape Winelands (South Africa), Hawke’s Bay (New Zealand), Lausanne (Switzerland), Mainz | Rheinhessen (Germany), Mendoza (Argentina), Porto (Portugal), San Francisco | Napa Valley (USA), Valparaiso | Casablanca Valley (Chile) and Verona (Italy). The GWC network aims to provide memorable wine experiences for visitors and helps cities and their wineries promote their extraordinary culture, heritage and region. Since 2018, the City of Lausanne has represented the entire Swiss wine-growing region in this prestigious network ( www. greatwinecapitals. com ). “Promoting wine tourism is a unique opportunity for the wine sector to showcase the diversity of Swiss wines and present their fascinating landscapes and rich history to the general public. It’s also an opportunity for this wealth to reach further than wine lovers. Lausanne’s Great Wine Capitals membership has been a major milestone for the development of Swiss wine tourism”, Nicolas Joss, Director of Swiss Wine Promotion. From 22 to 26 October, delegates from the twelve countries explored Swiss vineyards through “technical tours” organised in the country’s wine-growing regions. These visits highlighted the winegrowers’ ancestral know-how, diversity of the terroir, main grape varieties, research and development of the wine sector, as well as wine tourism offers and landscape heritage. “The GWC network’s General Assembly in Lausanne has helped strengthen the standing of wine tourism in the Vaud capital and Swiss wine-growing region. The future of wine tourism is encouraging, both nationally and worldwide. Lausanne is delighted to be able to offer these experiences to curious visitors and lovers of Swiss vintages”, Steeve Pasche, Director of Lausanne Tourisme and President of the GWC 2023 General Assembly The GWC General Assembly was punctuated by the 6th edition of the Swiss Wine Tourism Meetings, with a conference day on the theme “Wine tourism in Switzerland: from tradition to innovation” with the participation of Suisse Tourisme, Presence Switzerland, the Brotherhood of Winegrowers, Agroscope and other partners. The day was a unique opportunity to meet stakeholders from around the world, as well as broadening approaches and promoting innovation and the standing of Swiss wine tourism in the wider world. At the end of the conference day, the gala and Best Of Wine Tourism awards ceremony was held. Created by the GWC, the project awards individual and collective approaches that contribute to the promotion of wine tourism. It is aimed at all stakeholders in the world of wine, tourism, gastronomy, terroir and heritage. Each capital in the network organises its own internal competition, with the winners in each category receiving the title of Regional Best Of Wine Tourism. All the Regional Best Of Wine Tourism winners automatically participate in the international Global Best Of Wine Tourism awards. The Swiss winners in the Regional Best Of Wine Tourism The Swiss winners for each category in the Regional Best Of Wine Tourism awards are: Architecture/Landscapes: Castel de Daval, Sierre (VS) Art/Culture: Domaine du Mont d’Or , Sion (VS) Discovery/Innovation: Maison Gillard , Sion (VS) Environment/Development: BAM – Voie des Sens , Morges (VD) Food/Hospitality: Cave Couronne 1669 , Morat (FR) Service/Organisation: Wine Tours Switzerland , Maienfeld (GR) Craftsmanship: Cantina Settemaggio , Valle Leventina (TI) The "Train du Vigneron" - BAM la Voie des Sens offer in Morges (VD) has won a "Global Best Of Wine Tourism" award for the best offer among the Swiss "Regional Best Of Wine Tourism". Finally, from 30 October to 13 November, the public has the opportunity to vote for their favourite wine tourism offer with seven categories in the People’s Choice Award! Visit the website . The Assembly, not to mention the attractive offer of Best Of Wine Tourism, clearly demonstrates the enthusiasm towards wine tourism all over the world. The theme responds to the visitors’ need to have a full experience of the place they are exploring. This form of tourism allows guests to be completely immersed in the setting, gives the economy a boost, promotes conversation with locals and allows traditions, expertise and passion to be shared. 2024 Great Wine Capitals General Assembly to take place in Verona The next General Assembly for the international network will take place in Verona from 20 to 24 October 2024.

On October 6, 2023, the 17th edition of the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse took place at Kursaal Bern, bringing together over 560 representatives from the Swiss wine scene, politicians, press members, and wine enthusiasts to celebrate the pinnacle of the entire wine industry. The prestigious title of 'Swiss Winery of the Year' was once again awarded to Leukersonne Winery in Susten, Valais. This year's edition of the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse was inspired by the excellent 2022 vintage, leading to nearly 400 more wines being submitted than the previous year to the most important competition for Swiss wines. Leukersonne Winery, led by Damian and Fabienne Seewer as well as Jörg and Karin Seewer, was recognized for their outstanding achievements. Valais dominated the competition, securing 8 out of the total 15 categories. Besides Valais, other regions including the German-speaking Switzerland, Neuchâtel, Vaud, Geneva, Schaffhausen, and Ticino also impressed with their wines. Chardonnay and single-varietal white wines remained strong categories, while Chasselas gained significance and now stands as the second most important category. Rosés and Blancs de Noirs are also gaining in importance. The Grand Prix du Vin Suisse reflects the diversity of Swiss winemaking, with cantons with the largest vineyard areas contributing the largest quantities of submitted wines. The event provided guests the opportunity to taste the finest Swiss wines and enjoy a festive menu in the company of winemakers. Winners 2023 Special prices Winery of the year 2023 Kellerei Leukersonne, Susten (VS) Award Vinissimo « Coup de cœur » Weiss von Salis Maienfelder Chardonnay 2021 AOC Graubünden Award Vinissimo « Coup de cœur » Rot Gamaret de Saillon 2022 AOC Valais, Fabrice Carron, Fully (VS) Award Vin Bio Wale-Port Likörwein 2015 AOC St. Gallen Casa Nova Wein Pur AG, Walenstadt (SG) Award Scoperta Gamaret de Saillon 2022 AOC Valais, Fabrice Carron, Fully (VS) Award Newcomer WeinWerk Wienacht AG, Wienacht-Tobel (AR) Award Lifestyle Wine Colline de Daval, Sierre (VS) Chasselas Gold Chardonne les Berneyses 2022 AOC Lavaux Jean-François Neyroud-Fonjallaz, Chardonne (VD) Silver Fendant de Martigny 2022, AOC Valais Cave La Cinquième Saison SA, Martigny (VS) Bronze La Ruisselière 2022, AOC Lavaux Alexandre Duboux, Epesses (VD) Müller-Thurgau / Riesling-Sylvaner Gold Siblingen Riesling-Sylvaner 2022 AOC Schaffhausen GVS Schachenmann AG, Schaffhausen (SH) Silver Riesling-Sylvaner 2022, AOC Zürichsee Schwarzenbach Weinbau, Meilen (ZH) Bronze Riesling-Sylvaner Préstige 2022 AOC St. Gallen WeinWerk Wienacht AG, Wienacht-Tobel (AR) Chardonnay Gold von Salis Maienfelder Chardonnay 2021 AOC Graubünden, von Salis AG, Landquart (GR) Silver Chardonnay Terra ANcestra 2022 AOC Neuchâtel, Cave des Coteaux, Areuse (NE) Bronze Chardonnay Le Loclat Grands Terroirs 2020 AOC Neuchâtel Domaine Bouvet-Jabloir, Auvernier (NE) Other white wines Gold Petite Arvine Domaine de Châteauneuf 2021 AOC Valais, Cave de l'Etat du Valais, Leytron (VS) Silver Païen 2022, AOC Valais Cave du Paradou SA, Nax (VS) Bronze La Rodeline Humage Blanche 2022, AOC Valais Domaine la Rodeline SA, Fully (VS) White assemblies Gold Ambassadeur des Domaines Diego Mathier 2021 AOC Valais, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen AG, Salgesch (VS) Silver Ambassadeur des Domaines Diego Mathier 2020 AOC Valais, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen AG, Salgesch (VS) Bronze Sauvignon d'Or 2022, AOC Zürichsee Weinbau Wetli, Männedorf (ZH) Rosé and "blanc de noir" Gold Roseline 2022, AOC Valais Maison Maye, Riddes (VS) Silver Oeil-de-Perdrix 2022, AOC Valais Kellerei Leukersonne, Susten (VS) Bronze Les Chaumes 2022, AOC Vaud Cave de La Côte, Tolochenaz (VD) Gamay Gold Le Damoiseau 2022, AOC Genève Clos de la Donzelle, Dardagny (GE) Silver Gamay Excelsus 2022, AOC Valais Sélection Excelsus, Chamoson (VS) Bronze Domaine de Chantemerle 2022, AOC la Côte Domaine de Chantemerle, Tartegnin (VD) Gamaret, Garanoir or Mara Purs Gold Gamaret de Saillon 2022, AOC Valais Fabrice Carron, Fully (VS) Silver Gamaret Gourmand 2021, AOC Bonvillars Cave des Viticulteurs de Bonvillars, Bonvillars (VD) Bronze Gamaret de Sierre 2021,AOC Valais Cave Colline de Daval, Sierre (VS) Pinot Noir Gold Pinot Noir 1879 2020, AOC Neuchâtel Cave des Lauriers - Jungo et Fellmann, Cressier (NE) Silver Pinot Noir Clos de Pachje Lux Vina 2020 AOC Valais Domaines Chevaliers SA, Salgesch (VS) Bronze Grand Cru Féchy Pinot noir 2022 AOC La Côte Domaine de Fischer, Bougy-Villars (VD) Merlot Gold Ronco 2020, DOC Ticino Azienda Agraria Cantonale di Mezzana, Coldrerio (TI) Silver Merlot 2022, AOC Valais Kellerei Leukersonne, Susten (VS) Bronze Merlot 2020, Vin de Pays Suisse Grillette Domaine de Cressier SA, Cressier (NE) Syrah Gold Syrah, Les Titans 2020, AOC Valais Provins SA, Sion (VS) Silver Syrah 2020, AOC Chablais Les Celliers du Chablais SA, Aigle (VD) Bronze Syrah 2021, AOC Genève Clos du Château, Satigny (GE) Other red wines Gold Cornalin 2022, AOC Valais Cave Adamare, Salgesch (VS) Silver Malbec Hallau Réserve 2020 AOC Schaffhausen GVS Schachenmann AG, Schaffhausen (SH) Bronze Humagne Rouge 2022, AOC Valais Caves du Paradis Olivier Roten SA, Sierre (VS) Red assemblies Gold Hommage 2022, AOC Valais Kellerei Leukersonne, Susten (VS) Silver Cuvée "LOUIS-MARTIN" 2020, AOC Valais Domaine Jean-René Germanier, Vétroz (VS) Bronze Esprit de Genève 2021, AOC Genève Domaine des Curiades, Bernex (GE) White, red and rosé wines with residual sugar at 8g/L and above Gold Domaine de Tourbillon Sélection Grains Nobles, Les Domaines 2016 AOC Valais Provins SA, Sion (VS) Silver Wale-Port Likörwein 2015, AOC St. Gallen Casa Nova Wein Pur AG, Walenstadt (SG) Bronze Le Nectar 2020, AOC Genève Domaine des Curiades, Bernex (GE) Sparkling wines Gold Louis Edouard Mauler 2014, AOC Neuchâtel Mauler et Cie SA, Môtiers (NE) Silver Brut du Valais Millésimé Jacques Germanier 2018, AOC Valais Germanier - Cave du Tunnel, Conthey (VS) Bronze DW Petit Rhin brut Zürichsee 2020, AOC Zürichsee, Weingut Diederik, Küsnacht (ZH) Best Of "Weinregion" Deutschschweiz von Salis Maienfelder Chardonnay, 2021, AOC Graubünden, von Salis AG Wallis Gamaret de Saillon 2022 , AOC Valais, Fabrice Carron, Fully (VS) Drei Seen Louis Edouard Mauler 2014, AOC Neuchâtel, Mauler et Cie SA, Môtiers (NE) Genf Le Damoiseau 2022, AOC Genève, Clos de la Donzelle, Dardagny (GE) Waadt Chardonne les Berneyses 2022, AOC Lavaux Jean-François Neyroud-Fonjallaz, Chardonnay (VD) Tessin Ronco 2020, DOC Ticino, Azienda Agraria Cantonale di Mezzana, Coldrerio (TI) Best Of "Bio" Gold CourtisaN 2021, AOC Genève, Clos du Château (GE) Gold Gamaret de Sierre 2021, AOC Valais, Cave Colline de Daval (VS) Gold Rosé de Cépages Nobles 2022, AOC Valais, Cave Caloz (VS) Gold Syrah 2021, AOC Genève, Clos du Château (GE) Gold Wale-Port Likörwein 2015, AOC St. Gallen, Casa Nova Wein Pur AG (SG) Best Of "PIWI" Gold Divona 2022, Vin de Pays Suisse, Cave du Paradou SA Gold Elise 2022, AOC Aargau, Weingut Fürst Gold Solaris 2022, AOC Bielersee, Räblus Weinbau Silver DW Projektskizze No. 1/2020 2020, AOC Zürich, Weingut Diederik Silver Johanniter 2021, AOC La côte, Domaine La Capitaine Best Of "Vin Nature" Gold La Closerie 2020, AOC Chablais, Garanoir, Schenk Suisse SA c/o Obrist SA Silver Clos du Rocher, AOC Chablais, Syrah, Schenk Suisse SA c/o Obrist SA Silver Tour rouge, AOC Chablais, Garanoir, Schenk Suisse SA c/o Obrist SA

On the weekends of 23-24 September and 30 September/1st October, the third national "At the Heart of the Harvest" autumnal fair took place, organised by Swiss Wine Promotion (SWP), the Swiss wines national body. This year, the organisers were able to rely on thirty-nine Swiss wineries to welcome more than nine-hundred and fifty apprentice grape harvesters. The first two "At the Heart of the Harvest" events were held over a single day only. For 2023, in response to the enthusiasm of both the wine cellars and the participants, SWP extended the event over two weekends: 23-24 September and 30 September - 1 October. For these four dates, thirty-nine wineries, from the five wine regions, were showcased. They welcomed more than nine-hundred and fifty people, young and old, for a few hours' full immersion in the heart of the vineyard. After a beautiful Summer, it was grape harvesting season, and the participants had the chance to experience it first-hand. The apprentice grape harvesters were able to celebrate this intense and emotional moment together with the passionate winemakers. After a warm welcome, followed by safety tips, the day began by heading out to discover the harvest. The daily programmes varied depending on the progress of the harvest in the field or the weather. Nevertheless, it was a great opportunity to discover the work in the vineyard and the cellar, to taste grape juice and the ‘must’, as well as understand everything there is to know about the winemaking processes. The day ended with a tasting of the specialties of the estate followed by a friendly meal where the harvesters for the day and the traditional wine makers were able to exchange thoughts. This third event brought together some thirty-nine ‘domains’ spread across Switzerland: fourteen from Valais, thirteen the canton of Vaud, six in German-speaking Switzerland, 3 from Geneva and three in the Trois-Lacs region. SWP is delighted to announce the sale of over 85% of the tickets. Thanks to the commitment of the organisations participating, the public was able to discover the work of the vineyards and the wineries, as well as tasting Swiss wines directly from the producers, with whom they were able to establish direct and obviously quite special relationships. The enthusiasm of the participants, in addition to the positive response of the winemakers, enhances SWP's desire to continue to organise events that promote the discovery of Swiss wines, direct contact, and short supply chains in order to promote the consumption of local produce. Next Spring, at the time of the flowering of the vine, the date of the next "At the Heart of the 2024 Harvest" event will be communicated. Swiss Wine Promotion would also like to thank all the partners who contributed to the success of this project: the participating estates, the promotional bodies of the six wine regions as well as the media and our technical partners.