3 MAY 2019 CONCOURS MONDIAL DE BRUXELLES #2 DAILY NEWS

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@concoursmondial #CMB2019 LEADER QUOTE OF THE DAY “This is the first time that DISCOVERING a major international competition is taking place in . For me, ha- Vaud is the second biggest the magnificent Geneva Lake than brand names. Among others ving tasted at the CMB over winegrowing region of overlooked by the majestic . the in the tasting included 20 times, it is a great honor Switzerland and the only one Neuchâtel Blanc made from the to have the contest so close to cultivate more white traditional and Œil de to home” varieties than red. Neuchâtel Perdrix, a particular specialty of Accounting for one-tenth of all the area produced from local The jury members of Concours wine production in Neuchâtel . Pierre Thomas Mondial de Bruxelles had the Châteu d’Auvernier, built in Swiss Journalist chance to discover it by visiting 1559, is one of the most famous La Côte several in Geneva, La labels. For owner While Chasselas is unarguably Côte, Bonvillars and Neuchâtel. Thierry Grojean however, the the star of the Vaud region, red DID YOU KNOW ? Driving there was a scenery by love of and the joy grape varieties flourish and thrive itself, along the shorelines of of sharing it are more important at Côtes de L’Orbe and Bonvillars Swiss wine lovers are also some where 75% of grapes are red. of the biggest spenders on the Local producers presented planet. A British study has found indigenous red grape varieties that the Swiss spend nearly EUR such as Gamaret, Garanoir, Mara, 600 per person per year on wine. Divico and Galotta offering new In comparison, wine drinkers in and diverse perspective on the Portugal and Spain spend just unique and wine styles of EUR 127 per person per year. Vaud. BRIEFING DINING OVER THE ALPINE PEAKS 2,048 meters above sea level – Kuklos restaurant. The wines never has the Concours Mondial at the dinner were from the de Bruxelles climbed so high! of Chablais and carried the region’s typical freshness In the exquisite location on top and minerality. The aperitif - a of the Berneuse peak the CMB glass of Chasselas, was served SWISS QUIZ panel members enjoyed views already in the cable car running How many mountains above over the Alps and from Leysin to the Berneuse. 3000m does Switzerland have? while dining in the rotating Issued by : Vinopres Photographs: Simon Beuzart • Editor : Valentina Phillips Q & A WITH PAOLO BASSO Paolo Basso, winner of the What are the must-try Swiss ‘Best of the World’ wines? title in 2013, is world renowned I would say the rare grape for his extraordinary palate varieties that are not found and experience in the field of elsewhere, like , fine and rare wines. Among Amigne and Completer, not others, he is an ambassador to mention Chasselas, which of choice for Swiss Wines, epitomises the wine growing promoting and representing identity of the Lake Geneva them at international events. In region. It is a heritage that a Q & A session with CMB, Paolo Swiss producers know how to Basso describes what defines showcase and that every wine Swiss wines, which wines we lover should be familiar with. shouldn’t miss and why regions their wines. On the wine lists focusing on grape varieties are more important than grape What is the favourite wine of of quality restaurants, Swiss for years, they are now varieties. the Swiss? wines are gradually stealing attempting to make a clear shift I believe that we are at a march over foreign wines, towards identification through What is the defining feature of an historic turning point especially those from the New geographical . Swiss wine? where the Chasselas-Pinot World, which have shown their In an increasingly globalised Swiss wine is about constant Noir generations are being limitations in terms of pairings and competitive marketplace, discovery! Different climates, superseded by more open- with our cuisine. the region - which cannot be different soils, different minded, discerning consumers replicated elsewhere - must be traditions and cultures create who cannot be satisfied with Are native Swiss grape promoted and not the grape huge resources for wine just one wine. So I believe varieties becoming more variety. In light of the current, enthusiasts looking for an that there is no such thing popular, and if so, who do major debate on understanding element of surprise and for as the favourite wine of the they appeal to? whether today’s grape varieties beginners looking for discovery. Swiss. What is clear is that I would not say that the grape will continue to be suitable in Swiss wine offers a symphony there is greater awareness of varieties, native or otherwise, the future because of climate of flavours and tastes that the sea-change in the quality are gaining in popularity, but change, it is wiser to showcase beguile with their complexity of Swiss wines, which means rather Swiss wines in general. a region - which will always and diversity. that consumers in every region Also, New World wines should be there - rather than a grape are increasingly proud of serve as a lesson to us - after variety.

MASTERCLASSES LOOKING AHEAD Despite their modest 3 MAY worldwide distribution, these • 07:00 Breakfast varieties characteristic of the Swiss wine area are now • 08:45 Arrival in Aigle known to the majority of wine lovers: Chasselas, Cornalin, • 09:00 1st tasting session Humagne, Petite Arvine, Müller-Thurgau and Gamaret. Olivier Viret, gave a lecture insisting on the fact that shorter • 13:30 Lunch on the challenges that Swiss vegetative cycles combined @Les Glariers This reputation owes much wine-growers are faced with with richer sugar contents can to Dr. José Vouillamoz, an to achieve sustainability. present better opportunities • 15:40 Boarding of the «Le internationally renowned wine Global warming is a reality and for wine production in Alpine Simplon» boat geneticist. In an enlightening «normality has to be redefined» conditions. masterclass for the tasters of Olivier Viret summed-up, • 17:25 Arrival at Chillon the CMB the expert in DNA Castel profiling presented the history and diversity of Swiss wine • 18:30 Welcoming drink & grape varieties. Free evening.

Agronomist reference expert from the Canton of Vaud, QUIZ ANSWER 437 Issued by : Vinopres Photographs: Simon Beuzart • Editor : Valentina Phillips