One of the differences – there are many – between French and Swiss French terms in the vineyard: while the French vigneron, who makes wine from his own grapes (and is normally called a vigneron-encaveur in Switzerland) cuts back summertime exuberant growth and speaks of le rognage, his Swiss counterpart uses the verb cisailler. Both also use effeuillage more formally. The point of the […]
Wineries
Book reviews: gardens, wines
Bergli, an English language publisher in Basel, has two new books out that are relevant here: Gardens Switzerland and The Landscape of Swiss Wine. The first, about large public and private gardens, is a gem. The wine book has good points but is significantly flawed.[…]
Uncork now: a Spanish gold medal red, 15 May
Roble wines are lighter and fresher, but they don’t always bring out the best in the Tempranillo grape, called Tinto Fino or Tinto País in Ribera del Duero. The 2017 Protos version is a very good example of what this wine can and should be. […]
Swiss garner wealth of medals at world wine show
In a series of blind-tastings of 9,200 wines over three days, by 350 judges, where no one knew the country of origin of any of the wines, Switzerland was the fifth most bemedalled country at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a remarkable feat.
Wine judges: bashers and king-makers not wanted
Little Aigle, Switzerland was the scene of 9,200 wine judgements, 2-5 May. Wineries shipped their wares to this town in canton Vaud from around the world, hoping they would be noticed and found to be beautiful at the itinerant Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The results come out 13 May. As one of the judges, I’m […]