Canton and wine-growing region with the capital Lausanne in French-speaking Switzerland. The beginnings of viticulture date back to the Romans. In the Middle Ages, the Cistercians did pioneering work, painstakingly reclaiming the majority of the vineyards from the steep slopes. There is an AOC system with Grand Cru sites. Their use is authorised throughout the canton, provided that the wines come from sites listed in the vineyard register and bear designations such as Clos (closed vineyard), Château (castle), Domaine (wine-growing domain) or Abbaye (monastic abbey). The vineyards cover around 3,900 hectares of vines. The canton is divided into four areas; one in the Three Lakes region and three on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman):

Bonvillars

This appellation actually comprises three appellations: Bonvillars with 195 hectares (with the well-known commune of Champagne), Côtes de l'Orbe with 168 hectares - both on Lake Neuchâtel (Lac de Neuchâtel), and Vully on Lake Morat (Lac de Morat) with 50 hectares. However, they are usually referred to together as Bonvillars or, more rarely, as Nord-Vaudois (North Vaud), as this is the northernmost growing region.

Vully is a speciality because this appellation extends across the two cantons of Fribourg (107 ha) and Vaud (50 ha). However, the winegrowers of Vully see themselves as a common wine region, even though there is a cantonal border in between with different cantonal wine regulations. However, the Swiss wine guide only counts Vully as part of the Three-Lakes Region, but Bonvillars and Côtes de l'Orbe as part of Vaud.

Chablais

The appellation covers 560 hectares of vineyards north-east of Lake Geneva and along the right bank of the Rhône between Martigny and Montreux up to the border with the canton of Valais. The name is derived from Caput Laci (end of the lake). Five municipalities have AOC status and are authorised to use the name on their labels: Aigle (with the famous Château d'Aigle wine museum), Bex, Ollon, Villeneuve and Yvorne.

Lavaux

The appellation covers 830 hectares of vineyards between Lausanne and Montreux on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva. It is one of the most scenic in Switzerland. Of the 23 municipalities, nine have AOC status, some of which have Grand Cru sites. These are Calamin (Grand Cru), Chardonne, Dézaley (Grand Cru), Epesses, Lutry, Montreux, Saint Saphorin, Vevey and Vilette. Here there are steep-sided rock terraces rising up from the lake. The vineyards on extremely steep slopes near Dézaley and around Saint Saphorin were planted by the Cistercians of the Hautcrèt Palézieux monastery in the 12th century. In mid-2007, Lauvax was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

La Côte

By far the largest area covers 2,000 hectares and stretches north-west of Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Geneva. Here, too, the Cistercian monks of the monasteries of Oujon, Romainmoêtier and Bonzmont planted vineyards. The area accounts for a total of 40% of wine production. Twelve municipalities have Grand Cru status: Aubonne, Begnins, Bursinel, Côte de Vincy, Féchy, Luins, Mont-sur-Rolle, Morges, Nyon, Perroy, Tartegnin and Vinzel.

Grape varieties

Around 70% of the vineyard area is covered by Chasselas, which is called Perlan here. The wines made from this variety are called Dorin or, for top-quality products, Terravin. Other white wine varieties are Auxerrois, Charmont, Gewürztraminer, Muscat Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Silvaner (here Johannisberg).

The red wine varieties account for around a quarter, mainly Pinot Noir and Gamay. The branded red wine corresponding to Dôle in the canton of Valais is called Salvagnin. Others are Diolinoir, Merlot, Plant Robert and Syrah. In small quantities, there are many new varieties such as Divico, Doral, Galotta, Garanoir, Gamaret, Mara and Servagnin.

Terravin wines

The 0.7 litre wine bottle is a traditional cultural heritage. The most important event in the Swiss wine world is the "Fête des Vignerons" in Vevey on the north shore of Lake Geneva. The event dates back to the 17th century, with all winegrowers celebrating their work in the vineyard. It is only held every 25 years, the last one was in August 1999. The Changins Research Centre for Plant Protection is located near the capital Nyon on Lake Geneva. The best wines in the canton are awarded the Terravin label "Lauriers d'Or Terravin" according to strict criteria.

Producers

Well-known producers include Association Viticole d'Ollon, Association Viticole d'Yvorne, Badoux, Bolle, Bovard, Cave de la Côte Uvavins, Dubois Fils, Hammel, Les Frères Dubois, Massy, Obrist, Schenk, Société Vinicole de Bex and Testuz.

Montreux: from 박 기호 on Pixabay
Logos: Terravin