Geneva and its capacity for innovation

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.