Swiss wine news: Organic winners

First certified organic competition winners named

A slew of Swiss certified organic wines now boast gold and silver medals awarded by the first-ever Swiss Organic Wine (Bio Vino in French) competition, which took place in late May. The winners were announced in Bern 14 June. My favourite of course is the winner of the Press Trophy, since I was one of the five wine writers or media people who helped select it. Our Press winner: None Solaris 2017, from the relatively new disease-resistant Solaris grape, a wine from Azienda Agricola Bianchi in Ticino.

The 40 producers who entered 156 wines must be legally certified under Swiss regulations that cover Bio, Demeter and Bourgeons wines, or their vineyards must be in the process of converting, which can take three or more years. The competition joins Vinum magazine’s five-year-old Concour Vin Bio Suisse, which sees about the same number of wines entered, in encouraging organic producers to test their wines against others and bring them to the public’s attention.

In addition to 46 medals in total and 6 honourable mentions, there were three special awards: the Press, Public vote and Slow Wine.

Top winners

Chasselas: Réserve du Château 2017, Côtes de l’Orbe AOC, Eclépens Grand Cru, Château d’Eclépens, François de Coulon, 91 pts, Reconversion

White single grape varieties or blends: Chardonnay, 2016, La Côte AOC Begnins Grand Cru, Domaine la Capitaine, Famille Reynald Parmelin, cépage Chardonnay, 92.8 pts, Demeter

Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes 2016, La Côte AOC, Begnins Grand Cru, Domaine la Capitaine, Famille Reynald Parmelin, 92.5 pts, Demeter

Red single grape varieties or blends: Affinité 2016, La Côte AOC, Coteau de Vincy, Grand Cru, Domaine de la Croix, Yvan Parmelin, cépages Merlot–Garanoir, 90.5 pts, O-Bio.

Brochure in French (also available in German) with the complete list of winners and details about the competition – and you can even see me in a group photo, the day of the Press Trophy tasting at 3t by Steph in Mont-sur-Lausanne. It was my first visit to this catering business and restaurant which is open only to private groups. Great food, with Swiss Slow Food as one of the partners, interesting entrepreneurial concept and a wonderfully peaceful view of the forest despite the location in an industrial zone!