BERN, SWITZERLAND – Lower wine consumption in most markets, over-production in 2011, a high Swiss franc and stocks of wine that aren’t moving lie behind a decision by Bern to allow AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée) wines to be sold as table wines. The extraordinary measure starts 1 June and will be in effect until the […]
Food & dining
Historic wine book wins another prize
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / AMONG THE VINES – Wine Grapes, an encyclopedic and historic guide to 1,368 wine grape varieties, is notching up awards at a remarkable pace, with the latest just announced: the inaugural Fortnum & Mason award for a Drink Book, given to authors Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and José Vouillamoz Tuesday 14 May. […]
Long weekend: weather forecast, traffic, what’s on
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Most of Switzerland will be taking a long weekend, the Ascension holiday, starting Thursday 9 May. Weather forecast: mixed, with temperatures slipping down, with the long-term forecast improving as of next Tuesday – can we blame the weatherman for this poor planning? Meteo Swiss says Wednesday’s sunshine and highs of 20-24C will […]
Geneva bans floating bar
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Geneva’s popular floating bar, the Ile de la Rade, docked off the Jardin Anglais is illegal according to a decision announced this week by the Geneva Court of Justice. The court said it was illegal to operate the drinking establishment in 2012 even after the canton authorized it to open: it ran […]
UK drink-driving rules to be tightened
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / AMONG THE VINES – Drivers in Britain who are serious drink-drive offenders will face stiffer rules 1 June. High-risk offenders and anyone who refuses a blood-alcohol test will have to re-apply for a license and will not be allowed to drive until the new license is issued – and that will happen […]