MORGES, SWITZERLAND – These are all posted on Ellen’s Wine World on Facebook, with photos, as individual wine tasting notes, but I’m adding them here as a reference, so people can search for them later.
Noted in order of tasting: I started at the Swiss Wine Promotion guest of honour wines and selected 10 of these, then visited 5 wine producers whose wines I’m familiar with and love, to see what the new vintages are like.
First wine tasted, Viognier Iselisberg, Thurgau
Winery: Rutishauser
Nose: less aromatic than I expect from a Viognier, but interesting mix of apricot and light honey
Mouth: quince, hint of grapefruit, slightly salty tinge in the finish, refreshing
Price: CHF18.50
no. 2, Siblinger Riesling-Sylvaner 2010, Schaffenhausen
Winery: GVS Schachenmann
Nose: Fruity, banana
Mouth: Good minerality yet rich, round, slightly sweet
Price: CHF13.10
no. 3, Bianco de Merlot (Merlot grapes vinified as white wine) 2011, Ticino
Winery: Frateli Corti Nose: Fruity and floral, but the fruit carries, very pleasing
Mouth: round, rich, long in mouth, a white wine to have with a meal rather than as an aperitif
Price: n/a
no. 4, Vully 2011, Chasselas, Neuchatel
Winery: Chateau de Praz, Vully, Neuchatel
Nose: Fruity and floral, delicate, an excellent example of Chasselas – for visitors used to Geneva and Vaud Chasselas wines, this is a good opportunity to compare the influence of terroir
Mouth: aromatic, refreshing, good minerality with a hint of sparkling
Price: CHF9.80
no. 5, Vully 2011, Traminer, Neuchatel
Winery: Chateau de Praz, Vully, Neuchatel
Nose: Grape notes carry, reminiscent of Muscat
Mouth: Full and fruity, aromas remain very present, mineral
Price: CHF18
no. 6, Heida/Paien Gletscherwein 2009, Valais
Winery: Chanton, Brig, Valais
From the family that has done much to preserve rare and special Swiss grape varieties, from grapes (half of them 50 years old) grown at 800 metres altitude, aging well
Nose: Slightly smoky, quince, hint of exotic fruits
Mouth: Full, round, rich, complexity as it ages becoming apparent
Price: CHF18 for the 2010
no. 7, Dole 2010: Gamay and Pinot Noir, Valais
Winery: Domaine des Muses, Sierre, Valais
Nose: classic, black currants, red fruits
Mouth: fine example of the classic Swiss blend called dole, straight, dry, elegant (gold medal winner at Valais Selection in 2011)
Price: CHF23
no. 8, Les Crécelles 2010, Chasselas Réserve, Geneva
Winery: Domaine des Charmes, Geneva
Nose: linden, pear and light grilled notes, fruit forward
Mouth: surprisingly mineral for a Geneva Chasselas, refreshing, excellent value for money
Price: CHF9.80
no. 9 – Aligoté de Peissy, Geneva
Winery: Les Perrières Peissy, Geneva
Nose: hazelnuts and almonds, with the slight sharpness of citrus fruits
Mouth: opens up in mouth, more floral, interesting and refreshing, rich, would like it with fish
Price: CHF12.00
no. 10, Dezaley-Marsens (Chasselas) 2010, Vaud
Winery: Les Freres Dubois, Cully, Vaud
Nose: hazelnuts and honey
Mouth: Elegant, mineral yet round, discreet
Price: CHF28.00
no. 11, Viognier 2010, Vaud – a favourite!
Winery: Philippe Bovet, Givrins, Vaud
Nose: a classic, with white peach and apricot
Mouth: Elegant, round, fruity, long in mouth – a wine that makes a statement
Price: CHF26.00
no. 12, Selection Philippe Rochat, Chasselas 2010, Vaud – a favourite!
Winery: Domaine du Daley, Cully, Vaud
Nose: citrus, opens up quickly, very pleasing
Mouth: mineral, clean, fresh, long in mouth
Note – from old vines, one fermentation, spends 11 months in vats; a great aperitif wine but also a gastronomy Chasselas, and it’s easy to see why Rochat the chef loves it!
Price: CHF18.00
no. 13, Domaine du Daley Collection Grand Cru Villette, Chasselas 2010, Vaud
Winery: Domaine du Daley, Lutry, Vaud
Nose: citrus, apples, aromas that keep unfolding
Mouth: mineral, clean, but more of a gastronomic wine than some of the others in this winery’s vast collection of Chasselas wines, long in mouth
Note – from old vines
Price: CHF19.00