Green grapes deluxe

The Genevan vineyards are situated just outside the cosmopolitan city in French-speaking Switzerland. The wine-growing area is split into three regions – the right bank of the Rhône , the area between the Arve river and the Rhône river, and the left bank between the Arve and Lake Geneva. Grapevines are planted on a total of 1,400 hectares of land.

Due to the huge variety on offer, there is not a flavour or taste that is characteristic of Genevan wines. Every cru has a distinct taste. Furthermore, the wineries are treading innovative paths, ageing their wines in unusual containers such as amphoras as well as in the usual steel tanks and wooden barrels, and are increasingly producing natural wines.

Wine growers rely on a particularly high number of different grape varieties. In total, 47 varieties. The most commonly grown variety is the Gamay, accounting for around 20% of the grapes grown, followed closely by Chasselas and Pinot noir at 12%. These are joined by specialities such as the Gamaret, Garanoir and Malbec reds as well as the Aligoté, a white grape from the French Burgundy region.

There are 130 wine producers in the canton of Geneva. They produce an average of 80,000 hectolitres of wine every year, with 51% of this figure being red wines and 49% white wines. These figures change depending on the vintage.

Genevan wines – international in their orientation, massively underrated and treasures worthy of discovery.

Genevans drink the majority of their wines themselves. The wines are not very well known in other parts of Switzerland, never mind abroad. This is a shame because this is definitely not due to the quality of the wines. The wineries distribute the majority of their products directly from their farms or sell them over the internet.

Geneva is situated directly on the French border. The influence of the grande nation can thus be easily discerned in the region’s wine-producing methods. Nevertheless, the local wine growers are innovative and eager to try out growing new grape varieties. The region is considered to be extremely dynamic. Accordingly, the quality of the wines produced in recent years has risen steadily.

Geneva can boast of having a large number of first-class restaurants, both inside and outside the city. The Head Chef of the Domaine de Châteauvieux in Satigny, Philippe Chevrier, even has 19 Gault Millau points. The dishes served in the restaurant are often served with local wines, much to the satisfaction of the guests. The gastronomy sector and wine producers work together, a relationship that proves beneficial for both parties.

Genevan wines distinguish themselves from wines from other regions thanks to the excellent value- for-money they offer. There are myriads of well-made wines available on the market for less than or around 20 francs per bottle. Only a few bottles cost more than 50 francs. This is mainly because the wines are not (yet) seen as being prestigious outside of Geneva – and wrongly so!

Words Peter keller