Top 100 white wines of Vaud
Discover the top 100 best white wines of Vaud as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the white wines that are popular of Vaud and the best vintages to taste in this region.
Discovering the wine region of Vaud
Vaud is Switzerland's second-largest wine region, located in the French-speaking southwest. The region - which is also one of 26 cantons in the country - is best known for its crisp, white Fendant wines (the national name for the Chasselas variety) and its stunning lakeside landscapes.
Both of these reach their zenith in the grand crus of Lavaux/dezaley">Dezaley and Calamin. These famous Lavaux Vineyard terraces, which rise steeply up above Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), are considered of such importance that they are now enjoy protected status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The main Vaud vineyard area arches broadly around Lake Geneva from La Côte, west of Lausanne, via Lavaux (between Lausanne and Montreux to the east) to Chablais, which runs from the lake's edge into the steep-sided Rhone river valley - the gateway to the Valais.
North of the lake are a handful of satellite viticultural areas around Lake Neuchâtel, bordering the Neuchatel - Three Lakes area, and along the banks of the Orbe river - grouped into the Côtes de l'Orbe and BonvillarsAOC/AOPs.
Vaud is thus flanked by three key Swiss wine regions: Geneva (at the end of the lake to the southwest), Neuchâtel (to the north) and Valais (to the southeast). Just across the Jura Mountains, which form the canton's western edge (the Swiss border with France) is the French portion of the Jura.
Unusually among Swiss wine regions, Vaud produces more white wine than red. Two-thirds of production here is to white wine with the lion's share given over to Fendant/Chasselas, covering just over 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) in the canton - 60 percent of its area.
Other than Chasselas, Pinot Noir and Gamay are the next in line in terms of vineyard area, making up just over 20 percent of vineyard area together. Of the two, Pinot Noir is the more popular, boasting 480 hectares (1,100 acres) compared to Gamay's 350 (860 acres).
Discover the grape variety: Muscat Ottonel
Muscat Ottonel has the character of a grape variety with a distant lineage. It was first obtained in 1839 and continues to be planted in nearly 2,000 hectares of vineyards around the world. It shows good vigour and promises satisfactory production, of the order of 6 kilos per vine. The bunches, which are rather loose, are quite large, bearing berries with a strong character. A pleasantly musky flavour and a lot of juice characterize the pulp, protected by a medium skin. The bluish-black skin contributes to the exceptional beauty of the vineyards at harvest time. The size of the ellipsoidal berries is another argument in favor of Muscat Ottonel, which is also known as Muscat Ottone or Muscadet Ottonel. Resin, toast, honey and wild flowers are all present in the wines made from this variety. If the foliage, which turns yellow in autumn, is one of its charms, remember to protect the fruit from grey rot and coulure.
Food and wine pairing with a white wine of Vaud
white wines from the region of Vaud go well with generally quite well with dishes of rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), shellfish or vegetarian such as recipes of tuna gratin, monkfish tail with coconut milk and curry or quiche without pastry, courgette and blue cheese.
Organoleptic analysis of white wine of Vaud
On the nose in the region of Vaud often reveals types of flavors of citrus, minerality or pear and sometimes also flavors of non oak, earth or microbio. In the mouth in the region of Vaud is a with a nice freshness.
