The annual grape harvest festival in the Neuchâtel, Switzerland may be one of the most colorful in the country. Traffic is blocked from the city center, and for three days downtown Neuchâtel is filled with costumes, flowers, confetti and "Guggenmusik".
Neuchâtel
Fête des Vendanges
September 23, 2011 (All day)
September 25, 2011 (All day)
Oeil-de-Perdrix
Oeil-de-Perdix is the flagship wine of Neuchâtel. It is a delicate rose wine made from the Pinot noir grape and it is a Neuchâtel speciality - and has been for centuries. Unfortunately the Canton failed to protect it, and as a result you may see the name "Oeil-de-Perdix" on any rose wine from around the world. Read more »
Distinguished Wine Region of Neuchâtel
Subdivided into three areas: "La Béroche", from Vaumarcus to Bevaux, "The Coast", from Cortaillod to Neuchâtel, and "Entre-deux-Lacs", which lies between lake Bienne and lake Neuchâtel, the Neuchâtel wine region may not be the largest, but it has a long and distinguished history. Read more »
The Wine Grapes of Switzerland
Riesling
A classic German white variety, Riesling (or Petit Rhin) is rare in Valais but does produce good results on the favorable schistose soils around Sion.
Garanoir
A new variety (Gamay x Reichensteiner), developed in 1970 at Pully (Vaud), Garanoir ripens early. Can give interesting blends with Gamay, Gamaret or sometimes Pinot Noir.
Goron de Bovernier
Goron de Bovernier is a red grape, which according to José Vouillamoz is probably a natural hybrid of Cornalin du Valais and an unknown variety. The grape gets its name from the municipality of Bovernier, in Valais. Small quantities are still found in lower Valais.
He who loves not wine, women and song remains a fool his whole life long.
Martin Luther
