Wines from Across Switzerland

Held on September 2nd and 3rd in Sierre town centre, the VINEA Swiss Wine Fair 2016 takes visitors on a voyage of Swiss wine discovery

Sierre, August 29th 2016 A showcase for Swiss wines, the VINEA Swiss Wine Fair brings together around 150 producers (70 individuals and 80 working together in associations) to present their very best wines. Once again, a number of events will be organised during this year's fair, including a walkaround tasting of the prize- winning Pinot and Merlot wines from the two international competitions organised by VINEA, and a guided tour of the fair for 18-25 year-olds. A new feature this year is the organic wine conference that will be held before the opening of the fair.

Wines from across Switzerland VINEA is holding its fair for the second time in the area between the railway station and Sierre's town hall square. This was very successful in 2015, and thus it is being repeated this year. Over two days, exhibitors from six wine-growing regions (Valais, Vaud, Tessin, Neuchâtel, Geneva and Swiss Germany) will take visitors on a voyage of Swiss wine discovery.

Events during the fair A variety of events will please both young and old, including a children's tasting of flavoured syrups, a guided tour of the fair by Marie Linder for 18-25 year-olds, and the exhibition “Le vin au goût du jour” at Sierre's Musée du Vin du Valais, included in the price of the fair ticket. Pinot and Merlot fans will be spoiled for choice, with the chance to taste the winning wines from the two international competitions organised by VINEA in 2016. This year, there will also be a stand of award-winning wines from the Mondial du Chasselas in the same space.

The food area will feature five stands, including raclette, aged cheeses and charcuterie from the Valais, foie gras and caviar d'Aquitaine, and a food truck serving potato-based dishes, so there will be plenty of opportunity to satisfy appetites whetted by wine tasting. Four partner-restaurants on the town hall square will also be serving delicious dishes.

Organic wine conference Before the fair opens, a conference entitled “Organic wine – an opportunity for Swiss wine?” will be held at Sierre's HES SO venue, at 9am on Friday September 2nd. Taking part will be famous producers Marie-Thérèse Chappaz, Caroline Frey and Reynald Parmelin, and Le Figaro wine journalist Bernard Burtschy. Admission is free but registration is obligatory at http://www.vinea.ch/conference-bio/

The After VINEA space The After VINEA space will be present again this year in the Sierre town hall gardens from 7 – 11pm. A bar will serve exhibitors' wines as well as light snacks, so visitors can socialise with friends, consolidating the VINEA Swiss Wine Fair's position as a “must” on the Swiss wine scene calendar.

VINEA Swiss Wine Fair 2016: practical info

Friday 2nd September: 3pm - 8pm Saturday 3rd September: 11am - 7pm Ticket price CHF 30.-, including a tasting glass and access to the After VINEA space ”After” events on September 2nd and 3rd: 7 – 11pm (free entry with VINEA fair ticket or CHF 10.-) Combined tickets SMC Funi-Bus CHF. 35.— Travel by train or by car (free parking) New: the VINEA package (overnight stay, entry ticket and raclette: see details on the VINEA website)

A list of exhibitors and the Mon VINEA 2016 booklet can be downloaded here http://www.vinea.ch/salon-vinea- des-vins-suisses/

For further information, contact: Association VINEA Elisabeth Pasquier, Director CH - 3960 Sierre Tel + 41 (0) 27 456 31 44 [email protected] Facebook | Twitter

VINEA is a multidisciplinary association specialised in the organisation of wine competitions, including the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse, the Mondial des Pinots and the Mondial du Merlot et Assemblages. It also organises events and initiatives designed to promote Swiss wines, such as the Salon des Vins Suisses (Swiss Wine Fair) and the Semaine du Vin Suisse (Swiss Wine Week), and the Swiss Wines app. For further information, see www.vinea.ch