Top 10 cool climate wine regions
29th March, 2016
by
Sally Easton MW
7. Switzerland
GST: 14.9
Plantings: 14,800 ha
Main grapes: 29% Pinot Noir; 26% Chasselas/Gutedal; 9% Gamay
With steep slopes and the large lake Léman, Switzerland’s vineyards have many mesoclimates.
Jean-Marc Amez-Droz, the general secretary for the country’s generic body, Swiss Wine Promotion said: “The coolest areas are in the highest vineyards. The coolest climate is mainly in Valais, because we’re really in the Alps.”
This region accounts for a third of the country’s plantings. Even in this region it’s “not so easy to say this part is cool climate and this is warmer”, adds Amez-Droz.
“The vineyards are all planted on different altitudes from 500m at the level of the river Rhône up to 800m, which is quite cool. At these highest spots in the Valais, typically Traminer is planted”, although Pinot Noir and Gamay, used to make the noted blend ‘Dôle’, are the most widely planted cultivars in Valais.