With Swiss wine throughout the year

In a barrel, with a view of the starry sky or floating on the water - Grape Escapes offers unique overnight stays near Swiss vineyards. And because sometimes things can be a little more unusual, here are six suggestions for truly unforgettable experiences: Sleeping in a Valais wine barrel at Chalet Diognysos Sleeping in a wooden barrel is not for people with claustrophobia. However, if you can handle being surrounded by seven-centimetre-thick oak planks, you should definitely venture into the wine barrel at Chalet Diognysos for a night. In winter, the barrel serves as a fondue and raclette parlour, while in summer it is transformed into a room with a double bed and romantic lighting. The barrel is located in the vineyards of Diogne, below Crans Montana - and offers a magnificent view of the Valais Alps. Spend the night in the Vaud vineyard cottage La Capite The La Capite vineyard cottage in Cully was once used by winegrowers who wanted to take a break from their hard work. Today, the charming cottage in the middle of the Vaud vineyards can be rented for an overnight stay. There is no running water, electricity or heating here - these amenities are available in the family home just a few steps away. In the ‘Capite’ itself, antique furniture, a creaky wooden floor and an unbeatable view over Lake Geneva await guests. Slumber in seclusion in the Curzútt bird box in Ticino Don't be fooled by the name: The Birdbox Curzútt is not a small bird house, but stylish accommodation equipped with every comfort. The box is located above Bellinzona and is best reached by the Monte Carasso - Mornera cable car. The Birdbox boasts large windows with views of St Barnárd's Church, the surrounding vineyards and nature. A furnished terrace is available for a romantic aperitif for two. Lying under the stars in the Bubble Hotel at Kartause Ittingen Anyone who has booked a night at the Bubble Hotel in Thurgau should hope for a clear sky - because then it is possible to look for constellations directly from your bed. But the exclusive accommodation at Kartause Ittingen in Thurgau is also a real eye-catcher during the day. The transparent spherical tent is surrounded by nature and offers a view over the vineyards and the river Thur. An overnight stay not only includes breakfast, but also an e-bike per person. A bed on wheels on a bike safari in eastern Switzerland If you decide to go on a bike safari through Schaffhausen or Thurgau, you first have to earn the view of the picturesque vineyards. But don't worry, it's not that strenuous: you and your companion are travelling on fast e-bikes and always have your bed with you. The canvas tent permanently installed on the cargo bike provides a place to sleep with a mattress, perfect for cosy nights for two. There are chairs and a table for relaxing at the campsite. A regional breakfast is served in the morning. Travelling on the Three Lakes with the Boutique Boatel Attila A trip on Switzerland's only hotel cruise ship is the perfect way to discover the vineyards around the Jura lakes. While guests relax in one of the nine double cabins or the Captain's Lounge of the Boutique Boatel Attila , they sail across lakes Biel, Murten and Neuchâtel. Along the way, the former cargo ship makes stops for tastings at winegrowers, excursions into the wine region or dinners in selected restaurants. Fancy a refreshing dip? The lake is just a jump away from your bed. Grape Escapes Looking for relaxation and enjoyment in the heart of Switzerland's most beautiful wine regions? At Grape Escapes, around 60 accommodations invite you to spend the night in the vineyards or with a view of them. From chic boutique hotels to simple Räbhüsli, everything is included. What they all have in common is a connection to wine and the vines. You can find an overview of all accommodation here .

Buying a bottle of wine at the last minute is sometimes easier said than done. The selection in the store seems endless – how does one even decide? Golden or silver stickers provide relief: they indicate that the wine in question has performed well in a competition. However, these medals are not such a clear quality seal. In Switzerland and abroad, there is an overwhelming number of awards and honours. And not every competition has the same reputation. When winemakers want to enter a wine into competition, they must pay a fee, which can quickly amount to over 100 Swiss francs. At the competition, a panel of experts tastes the wines "blind," meaning they do not know the producer or the wine's region of origin. The jury members evaluate aspects such as appearance, aroma, and taste of the wine. Not all wine competitions are reputable In Switzerland, all competitions adhere to the guidelines of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) . Based in Dijon, France, the association represents the interests of viticulture in currently 50 member states across all continents. It is responsible for research and technification, sets standards, and provides recommendations for wine production. The OIV recommends limiting the number of medals to 30 percent of participants. This means that after a competition, up to one-third of the wines can be adorned with a sticker. However, there are less reputable awards where more than half of the submitted wines receive an award. Some competitions target local or national participants, while others have an international field (e. g. , Concours Mondial de Bruxelles or Decanter World Wine Awards ). There are awards focused on a single grape variety (e. g. , Mondial du Chasselas or Mondial des Pinots ) and those with a wide range of categories (e. g. , Grand Prix du Vin Suisse ). Medals are awarded based on a certain score: if a wine achieves at least 82 points, it receives silver; gold is awarded from 85 points, and the so-called "grand gold" from 92 points. Medals can provide guidance But beware: they should not be confused with ratings or labels . Ratings are evaluations, rarely "blind," given by wine critics or journalists (e. g. , Robert Parker). Labels such as IP-Suisse, Bio-Knospe, Demeter, or Vinatura provide information primarily about the production of the wine and less about its taste quality. So, for those feeling overwhelmed in front of the wine aisle, relying on medals for decision-making is acceptable. However, they are not the sole indicator of high quality. Some Swiss winemakers never participate in competitions, even though they produce top-quality wines. Ultimately, wine remains a matter of taste: what pleases one person may not necessarily please another. Overview of competitions supported by Swiss Wine National Competitions Grand Prix du Vin Suisse : Organized by Vinum magazine and the Vinea association, this competition annually honors the best Swiss wines and their producers. Mondial du Chasselas : Since 2012, the association for the promotion of Chasselas annually honors the best Chasselas wines in the world. Mondial du Merlot & Assemblages : A major wine award for producers, retailers, and importers of wines made from the Merlot grape or blends with Merlot, organized by Vinea. Mondial des Pinots : The Vinea association organizes the only competition dedicated solely to wines made from the Pinot grape variety. International Competitions Concours Mondial de Bruxelles : This international competition is divided into four different tastings to ensure each wine is evaluated appropriately and professionally. Decanter World Wine Awards : At this prestigious competition, leading wine experts from around the world in London evaluate over 17,200 wines annually. Sélection Mondiale des Vins Canada : The largest international wine competition in North America is among the most prestigious awards in the world.

ProWein, the world's most important wine and spirits fair, took place in Düsseldorf in mid-March. Swiss Wine Promotion (SWP) presented a large selection of Swiss wines in the midst of major wine nations. ProWein, the international wine and spirits fair in Düsseldorf, held its 30th edition from 10 to 12 March 2024 and welcomed around 38,000 trade visitors. Guests from all over the world met winemakers from Switzerland at the Swiss Wine Promotion (SWP) stand. Visitors were greeted by a stand with a rustic look, including a wooden chalet. In one area, they were able to taste Swiss wines free of charge. In total, there were over 100 different wines from producers in Switzerland to choose from. Thirteen local wineries were represented at the fair: Albert Mathier & Söhne AG (Valais) Bonvin 1858 ( Valais ) Domaine Jean-René Germanier SA ( Valais ) Le Vin de l’A ( Valais ) Cave de La Côte (Vaud) Schenk Suisse S. A. ( Vaud ) Branchenverband Deutschschweizer Wein Rötiberg-Kellerei (Schaffhausen) vinigma gmbh (Basel) Wine by JET (Zurich) Castello di Cantone – Vecchia Masseria (Ticino) Vini Delea Angelo SA (Ticino) Caves du Château d’Auvernier Henry Aloys Grosjean (Neuchâtel) What facets can a Chasselas have? What makes the Neuchâtel Non filtré so special? Visitors were able to explore these and other questions in six masterclasses. With over 200 participants, they were a great success. The wine battle organised by Falstaff magazine pitted the small wine nation of Switzerland against the wine giant Italy. Despite the unequal opponents, it was a close race. In the final vote, Switzerland was ultimately able to win a draw.