Neuchatel is one of the smaller wine regions of Switzerland, located in the French-speaking western half of the country, North of the much larger Vaud area. Much like its neighbour, Chasselas dominates white plantings here, however Pinot Noir is more significant here, as is the reputation of Neuchatel's rosés.
The region is generally referred to as the 'Three Lakes' as the region - and the four AOCs within it - are found on the relatively low-lying, flatter land, centered around the lakes of Morat, Bienne and Neuchatel.
The region also covers three neighbouring Swiss cantons.
AOPs Cheyres and Vully occupy 105 (260 acres) of the canton of Fribourg (on the shores of Lac de Neuchatel and Morat, respectively), while the Lac de Bienne, or Bielersee (for the generally Swiss-German speaking people of Bern) denomination takes up 222 hectares (550 acres) of the canton of Bern on the lake of Bienne.
The lion's share of the AOP, around 605 hectares (1,500 acres), is in the canton of Neuchatel, mainly on the north shore of the eponymous lake, in the Neuchatel AOP.
Overall, this puts the wine region on what the Swiss refer to as "la plaine" - a relatively flat area of land from Geneva through Bern to ZuRich, sandwiched to the north by the Jura and to the South by the Alps.
The Vineyards here are on relatively low-lying, flatter land, centered around the lakes.
Soils here are light and stony, generally Jurassic and rich in limestone. However, areas with more clay and vigour can also be found.
The Climate is moderated significantly by the presence of the lakes, which prevent summer temperatures from rising dramatically and also dampen the effects of frost and snow in winter. Neuchatel has about-average rainfall of around 1,000mm (39 inches) per year.
The agreement formed part of a bilateral trade agreement between the European Union and the Kiwi government. It affords sparkling winemakers in Veneto trademark protection, ensuring that fizz produced in other countries cannot be labelled ‘Prosecco’ in New Zealand. This represents another symbolic victory for Prosecco producers in Italy. In December 2021, the Consorzio di Tutela Prosecco DOC celebrated a similar agreement in China. The Consorzio launched the application for GI protection in Chin ...
Majestic has this week announced its re-entry on the Bordeaux en primeur scene, starting with 2021-vintage offers on a range of big names, including First Growths Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Haut-Brion, Mouton and Margaux. Its list also includes Cos d’Estournel, Palmer, Calon Ségur, Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Cheval Blanc, Angélus, Canon and La Fleur-Pétrus, among others. Wines were being offered per single bottle or in six-bottle cases, all in bond, showed the retailer’s brochure. Fine wine m ...
Starting with the 2021 vintage, non-late harvest Alsace Riesling must be ‘dry’, as defined by EU regulations, according to a proposed decree agreed by a two-thirds majority of the Alsace Winegrowers’ Association (AVA). Winemakers backed the plan at a vote in Colmar last week, although it requires approval from France’s appellation body, INAO. The move comes in addition to the introduction of a standardised way of communicating sweetness levels on Alsace AOC still wines. As per EU rul ...
