GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Alain Juppé, mayor of Bordeaux and French foreign minister from 2011 to 2012, has come out strongly against a French Senate pre-project to tax wine in order to develop programmes against alcohol abuse. Juppé spoke up at a press conference 21 May after the national organization of Young Farmers protested Friday against […]
Food & dining
Vaud winery open days: tips for visits
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND / AMONG THE VINES – If you didn’t make it Saturday to the Caves Ouvertes, Vaud’s turn for wineries’ open days, it’s not too late and it’s a good option for a wet, wet Sunday. Here’s how it works: you pay CHF15 for a glass at your first winery, keep it with you […]
Merlot award-winning wines: recommendations
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / AMONG THE VINES – I’ve been on a sharp learning curve with Merlot wines. Let me share the experience with you. Judging a competition versus wine-tasting as a writer Judging a wine competition is completely different from the blind tastings to which journalists are invited. For the Mondial du Merlot I did […]
World’s fine Merlots come of age in Zurich
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / AMONG THE VINES – The 2013 Merlot wine world champion is from Switzerland – Chamoson in canton Valais – and the best Merlot at the international Mondial du Merlot competition is from canton Ticino. The Swiss made an impressive showing, with canton Ticino alone winning but Merlots from Italy and France also […]
3-day weekend weather, mostly soggy
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The Vaud winery open days this weekend, with 300 wineries taking part and several villages offering food and drink, sadly won’t be seeing too many sunburned clients, with the weather forecast a relatively dismal mostly cloudy with rain throughout the country. Happily, wineries cater to customers who prefer to stay dry while […]