GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Canton Geneva is toying with the idea of requiring restaurants to serve at least one local wine, ditto for canton Vaud. The local wine rule is being considered as part of revisions of ordinances covering the bar and restaurant industry.

The proposed new legislation for Geneva moved out of committee and on to the cantonal parliament this week.

A widely debated part of the revisions has been a change in hours, with communes in the canton being offered greater flexibility. They would also carry more responsibility for ensuring that bar and restaurant terraces are allowed to stay open later only in areas where they won’t bother the neighbours.

Less attention has been paid to the local wine requirement, possibly because there is wide support for the idea from the public, if a Tribune de Genève poll is any sample: 71% support the idea.