Sierre, Valais, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Vinea wine fair, Switzerland’s largest, has unveiled its 6-7 September programme, which features three special tasting sessions for those who want to go a step beyond sampling the 1,200 wines on offer.
Photo: vines above Vetroz, Valais in July show the great variety of grapes grown in the region.
The fair is now in its 15th year and is designed, not as a commercial venture, but as a means of introducing the public to the best of the 22,000 wine producers in Valais (some 100 participate). In addition to the three "Discover fine wines" workshops the festival organizes a guided 5km vineyard walks, a visit to the cantonal grape growing and wine museum, activities for children and a photography exhibit of images from around the world by South Korean Jan yng joon, "Wine is a natural emotion."
Discover fine wine workshops
Jean-Marc Amez-Droz of the Hess Group will guide a tasting session of some of the best wines from Napa Valley, whose producers were part of the famous "judgment of Paris" where California wines won over French ones.
Saturday 6 September, 10:30. Cost: CHF100.
A second Saturday workshop is a mouth-watering one, with top Italian wines paired with Piedmont’s finest cheeses. Among the names: grana padana, Barolo de Bruno Giacosa, Bolgheri Sassicaia
Tenuta San Guido, Amarone Classico
Bertoni and wines from Etna, Sardinia and Trentino. Tasting session led by two Italian food and wine stars, Giandomenico Negro, oenologue and master cheesemaker and owner of the
cheese house of Arbiora, with Gianni Fabrizio, oenologue and the
organizer of the Torino Salon du gout. Fabrizio is well known for his slow food movement.
Saturday 6 September, 14:30. Cost: CHF150.
The third workshop features the naturally sweet wines for which Valais is rapidly gaining an excellent reputation after winning numerous international prizes. The ConfidenCiel wines will be tasted, with comments by their producers.
Sunday 7 September 10:00-12:00. Cost: CHF50.
Ed. note: the places for Vinea’s workshops are limited and always fill up quickly, so register soon, if you’re interested.
Special guests for the weekend outdoor event are wines from St Emilion in France, Dézaley in canton Vaud and the wines of canton Ticino.