Geneva and its capacity for innovation

With 1,410 ha, Geneva is the 3rd largest wine-growing region in Switzerland. It represents 10% of the country's wine-growing area. Only the cantons of Valais and Vaud have a larger surface area.

But what do you know about Geneva wines? Do you regularly drink Geneva wines? Do you talk about it from time to time?

Geneva wines are less known than those from other regions. This makes them all the more interesting to discover because Geneva does not sleep, quite the contrary.

While in the past they mainly produced Chasselas , Geneva winegrowers realized that diversification was desirable. Today Gamay is the most widespread grape variety and covers 23.6% of the vineyard. Chasselas, with 21%, remains the majority white grape variety although the trend is downward. It is grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc , or Viognier which have gained in importance. Covering 8.4% of the Geneva vineyards, Gamaret , a recent grape variety, grown mainly along the Rhône, is one of the most cultivated red grape varieties. In Geneva, you can also discover specialties such as Mondeuse or Aligoté which highlight the influence of neighboring Savoie and Burgundy . Across the canton, 43% of the grape varieties grown are defined as specialties, i.e. other than Pinot Noir , Gamay or Chasselas.

Geneva is the canton of Switzerland with the highest percentage of specialties.

Whatever the grape variety, the terroir of Geneva, on the French border, gives its wines its own style linked to its limestone molasse subsoil covered with glacial moraines and river alluvium. Under the influence of the hills of the Jura, the Pre-Alps and the proximity of Lake Geneva, the Geneva vineyards enjoy various climates which all benefit from adequate rainfall and sunshine.

The Geneva vineyards are divided into three regions: “Right Bank”, “Entre Arve et Rhône” and “Entre Arve et lac”

What really differentiates Geneva from other wine regions is its capacity for innovation. It is part of the DNA of Geneva winegrowers.

Thus Geneva was the first canton to combat phylloxera with biological methods .

They were also precursors to the introduction of Guyot culture on wire to replace the traditional goblet at the beginning of the 20th century. And again in 1988, Geneva demonstrated itself as a pioneer by being the first to research and improve quality by introducing an AOC regulation. Another innovation: in 2004, the “Esprit de Genève” project that winegrowers Genevans defend together. Anyone who respects the rules of the charter can produce their own “Esprit de Genève” which will be marketed in a special bottle with the same label and a single selling price. The “Esprit de Genève” carries a message: openness , humanism, diversity, innovation and quality, values which are close to the hearts of Genevans and which personalize their wines.