Why every wine lover should get to know Swiss wine – our expert reveals all

The majority of Switzerland’s wine is made in the French-speaking part of the country. The Rhône rises high in the Alps and transverses Valais, the largest wine region, before it flows into France. Immediately to the west is Vaux, hugging beautiful Lake Geneva and home to the steep UNESCO listed Lavaux vineyards where all the work has to be done by hand. The emphasis across the country is very much on quality not quantity, and prices reflect this. The best value for introductory wines are to be found from co-operatives, which make wines with grapes bought from many growers and so can achieve economies of scale.

Switzerland's main grape varieties

White chasselas, petite arvine, amigne, doral, heida (savagnin), chardonnay, sauvignon blanc Red gamaret, garanoir, cornalin, galotta, pinot noir, gamay, merlot, syrah

What food should you pair Swiss wine with?

Chasselas, accounting for nearly 30% of total plantings, has naturally low acidity and usually goes through full malolactic fermentation so is best suited to earthy or creamy food. Reds tend to be quite elegant with plenty of fruit and bright acidity, which makes them very versatile and food-friendly, as good with a tomato pasta sauce as they are with game dishes or a robust veggie bake.

Swiss winemaking

The distinctive Swiss way of winemaking is to allow most of its whites to go through malolactic fermentation (MLF), when the tart-tasting malic acid is converted into lactic acid after the alcoholic fermentation is complete, reducing the wine’s acidity and giving a creaminess to its texture. Switzerland is a country of small growers, respectful of their heritage and often using organic or biodynamic practices.

Although it is still a male-dominated country (women only gained full voting rights in 1990), there is now an impressive roster of female winemakers, many who’ve taken over their family’s estates. With a total vineyard area about half the size of Burgundy, Swiss wines are thin on the ground, and only 2% of the production is exported. They can be hard to find in the UK so look to specialist importers for the best choices – try Alpine Wines and the Swiss Wine Company.

Want to stay over?

Domaine de la Crausaz

Domaine de la Crausaz was founded in 1515 and is set among the stunning, steep vineyards in the pretty vintners’ village of Grandvaux. It has six stylish and well-appointed apartments, and a gorgeous terrace with fabulous views across Lake Geneva and the mountains, where you can taste local wines and enjoy excellent food from a short menu that includes traditional fondue. Don’t miss the wonderful Sunday brunch. Grandvaux is just 10 minutes by train from Lausanne, a lovely city to visit in its own right. lacrausaz.ch

Best Swiss wine to buy 2025

Cave de la Côte Doral Expression

• Available from Alpine Wines (£31.75)

Cave de la Côte uses grapes from more than 300 growers in Vaud to make its wide range of wines, including this rare doral, a new, eco-friendly cross between chardonnay and chasselas. It is very aromatic with lychee and dried mango, and a bit of spice – but it has no MLF so it retains a bright, crystalline freshness.

Domaines Rouvinez Black Nose

• Available from Yorkshire Vinters (£22)

From a family-owned producer going back four generations, this is named after the sheep that graze between the vines to keep weeds at bay and provide natural fertiliser. A blend of merlot, gamaret and syrah, with lots of pure elderberry fruit, a slight smokiness and a refreshingly tart snap. Very distinctive and very delicious.

Treize Étoiles Fendant

• Available from Yorkshire Vinters (£18)

From Caves Orsat, the biggest co-operative in Valais, working with more than 1,000 growers and making
some very good, well-priced wines. Fendant is the local name for Chasselas and here goes through full malolactic fermentation giving texture and balance to its attractive floral fruitiness and pleasingly salty finish.

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