Top 100 white wines of Vaud - Page 9
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: Pinot gris
Pinot Gris is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot gris was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. Pinot Gris is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot Gris wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot gris is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
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 mature and hard cheese such as recipes of poached salmon in coconut milk with curry, lamb with okra sauce or leek, bacon and beaufort pie.
Organoleptic analysis of white wine of Vaud
On the nose in the region of Vaud often reveals types of flavors of earth, tree fruit. In the mouth in the region of Vaud is a with a nice freshness.
