Why Are So Many Swiss Vineyards Planted on Dangerous Terrain? Simon Hardy Reveals Why in the Smart Traveller’s Guide to Switzerland

Natalie MacLean
Dec10th

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Introduction

Why are so many Swiss vineyards planted on dangerous terrain? How do the “three suns of Lavaux” shape the ripeness and character of Chasselas? Which unexpected historical figure owns the world’s smallest vineyard in Switzerland?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Simon Hardy, author of the terrific new book The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to Switzerland.

You can find the wines we discussed here.

 

Giveaway

Two of you are going to win a copy of Simon Hardy’s terrific new book, The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to Switzerland.

 

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you’ve posted a review of the podcast.

It takes less than 30 seconds: On your phone, scroll to the bottom here, where the reviews are, and click on “Tap to Rate.”

After that, scroll down a tiny bit more and click on “Write a Review.” That’s it!

I’ll choose two people randomly from those who contact me.

Good luck!

 

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Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time.

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Highlights

  • What makes Switzerland’s vertiginous vineyards some of the most dangerous in the world to farm?
  • How do growers move grapes from inaccessible cliffside plots during harvest?
  • Why were vineyards historically planted on seemingly impossible terrain?
  • What triggered Switzerland’s quality revolution in the 1980s, and how did opening trade with the European Union transform the country’s wine standards?
  • How do the “three suns of Lavaux” shape the ripeness and character of Chasselas?
  • Why does the Dalai Lama own the world’s smallest vineyard and how did it become a wine tourism landmark?
  • What makes Completer one of Switzerland’s most unusual native grapes?
  • How did the Three Lakes region popularize the term “eye of the partridge” for pale Rosé and why did it slip beyond their control?
  • What does the Röstigraben reveal about Switzerland’s linguistic and cultural divide?
  • If you were visiting Switzerland’s wine regions for the first time, which areas are must-visits?
  • How do raclette and chocolate highlight Switzerland’s expression of terroir?
  • Why might export growth and wine tourism shape the future of its Switzerland’s alpine wine identity?

 

Key Takeaways

  • Why are so many Swiss vineyards planted on dangerous terrain?
    • Historically, some of it goes back to the self-sufficiency of Switzerland, where, long before the European Union existed, you would have families who are living off the land. Today we tend to think of Switzerland… it’s the land of collectible watches, banks, wealthy celebrities. Go back before the Second World War, we’re talking about a very rural, agricultural country. When you’re living in a country where 70% of the land is covered by mountains, you do what you can with the remaining 30%. Some of that is covered with towns, villages and now cities, so what’s left? where can I plant my vines? And if you know you can produce grapes, you’re going to work it. And the reason many of the vines still exist where they do is because they’ve been passed down through the family. It’s the family inheritance.
  • How do the “three suns of Lavaux” shape the ripeness and character of Chasselas?
    • In effect, it’s allowing the vines to benefit from this three-dimensional sun in a very natural way through limited human intervention. If you think when you go skiing… if you’re not wearing sunblock, be careful because that sun, it’s bouncing off the snow. imagine that same effect, the sun bouncing off the lake. the stone walls, were originally built back in the 11th century by the monks. They take a lot of effort to maintain but they are soaking up the warmth of the sun. So it’s like when the sun sets… you’ll notice the temperature drop but these walls are radiating the heat.
  • Which unexpected historical figure owns the world’s smallest vineyard in Switzerland?
    • I’m going to surprise you with the answer, which is the Dalai Lama. The smallest vineyard in the world, is in the village of Farina in the Valais. it’s like a row of eight vines. I don’t know how he got his hands on them but they are part of his assets. And the vines are farmed and they produce a small quantity of wine. They’re an absolute magnet not just for the average tourists but for celebrity tourists. They’re absolutely blown away by the cuteness of it all.

 

About Simon Hardy

Simon Hardy brings a rare blend of multinational brand marketing and entrepreneurial flair in the world of wine.

Over 25 years at Nestlé, he held marketing and strategy roles in the UK, USA, and at the HQ in Switzerland. In 2010, Simon earned the WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits and founded Fitting Wines, a Swiss-based consultancy, offering a personal wine shopper service for time-poor expats.

Back in London since 2019, Simon champions Swiss wine in the UK, organising Swiss Wine Week London for Swiss Wine Promotion. He is also the co-founder of Alpina Vina, a cross-border guide to Alpine wine regions, including documentary films he writes and presents.

Simon also wrote The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to Switzerland, which has just been published by the Académie du Vin Library with Club Oenologique. He is also a Regional Ambassador for Switzerland at The Old Vine Conference and a judge for the International Wine Challenge since 2018.

 

Resources

 

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Thirsty for more?

  • Sign up for my free online wine video class where I’ll walk you through The 5 Wine & Food Pairing Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Dinner (and how to fix them forever!)
  • You’ll find my books here, including Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines and Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass.
  • The new audio edition of Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass is now available on Amazon.ca, Amazon.com and other country-specific Amazon sites; iTunes.ca, iTunes.com and other country-specific iTunes sites; Audible.ca and Audible.com.

 

Transcript

 

Books and Wine, Books: Wine, Boxed Wine, Food & Wine Pairing, Podcasts, Serving Wine, Taste Wine, Wine Question, Wine Style, Wine Tasting, Wine Tasting Notes, Wine Trends, Wine Writing, Women and Wine