The Grand Prix du Vin Suisse is, so to speak, the grand spectacle of Swiss wine. The gala in honor of Swiss wines took place in the Kursaal Bern at the end of October and attracted all local wine celebrities. In July, 132 judges blindly tasted at least 2,325 wines at Sierre VS. A total of 300 gold medals and 418 silver awards were awarded. A wine is rewarded with precious metal if it scores at least 89 out of 100. The 2021 wine year was very difficult – frost and hail destroyed a large part of the harvest. As a result, the best wines are rare and some are already out of stock. But they are amazing quality.
78 wines in the grand finale
At Sierra, the judges not only decided on the precious metal, but also selected six gold final wines in 13 different competition categories, which were then retested and graded by an international jury at the end of August. Since the five category winners came from the Valais and Waadt viticulture regions in western Switzerland, there was a veritable ditch of wine rosti compared to previous years. It was predictable that Ticino would win in the Merlot category. The canton of Zurich, on the other hand, won the famous Pinot Noir category by surprise this year, surpassing the canton of Neuchâtel Valais and above all Bündner Herrschaft, known as “Swiss’s Burgundy”.
Winery of the year 2022
Vaud convinced the jury in the categories “Chasselas”, “Rosé and Federweisse”, “Red Assemblages”, “Gamaret, Garanoir ou Mara Purs” and “Sweet Wines”. Valais received awards in the prestigious category “Other white wines”, “Other types of red wines”, “White wines”, “Gamay” and “Sparkling wines”. The coveted title of Swiss Winery of the Year 2022 was awarded this year to wine producing couple Sandra and Olivier Mounir from Salgesch VS. Mounirs convinced the jury with innovative and sustainably produced wines. They switched to organic production 15 years ago and the «Cave du Rhodan» wineries now have a self-sufficient energy source thanks to their own photovoltaic system and heat recovery. They are trying not only the fungus-resistant Divico grape variety, but also the Pinotage variety, which grows in South Africa. It convinced the professional tasters of Syrahs as the winning wine in the best red wine variety category and was the best red wine overall at this year’s Grand Prix.
Coop’s wide range of wines includes a range of Swiss wines awarded with gold and silver medals! And of course many award-winning wines from Switzerland and the great wine world.
Inspire yourself!
In the past weeks I have tasted many Swiss wines participating in this competition. I would like to introduce you to four wines from each Swiss wine cellar.
After all, everything that shines is gold
The article comes from Tobias Gysi, a sommelier and Swiss sommelier.