What I Learned:

Switzerland’s Ticino canton ranks as the fourth most important wine growing canton in Switzerland. The area of Monte San Giorgio, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Property, is particularly favored for growing grapes because of its microclimate, its hydrological characteristics, and especially its geology. From glacier sediment to marine sediment to clay, from limestone to bituminous schist to sandstone, the diverse nature of its soil results in ideal conditions for cultivating green grapes (mainly in the alkaline soils), and red grapes (primarily in the acidic soils.)  In total, approximately 500,000 liters of wine comes from the Monte San Giorgio area alone each year.

This canton as a whole is famous for its Merlot grapes. These were primarily introduced at the beginning of last century, after, and in response to, the phylloxera epidemic.  They are grown in about 1000 hectares of this canton. Merlot buds rather later in the spring than some other varietals, and its harvest in this area occurs at the end of September or beginning of October. From these grapes, its vintners produce a red wine version, aged in oak or steel, and a unique white wine version. Look for “Merlot Vinificato in Bianco.” Approximately 85% of all wine production in this canton is Merlot.

Chardonnay is the most grown white varietal here. The Chardonnay grapes blended with Merlot grapes, vinified as white Merlot, produce a unique and delicious Chardonnay-Merlot blended white wine.

Other notable varietals include a local varietal known as Bondola, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and the white varietal Chasselas.

The uniqueness, as well as the diversity, of the wines from the Ticino Canton (especially around Mendrisio), make a wine tasting trip here most enjoyable.

 

What I Tasted:

2014 Bianco, Parravicini, Bianco della Svizzera Italiana IGT: A dry, blended white wine (Merlot vinified as a white wine and Chardonnay), with a light gold color; sweet floral and slightly fruity nose and flavors, very smooth overall.

2013 Merlot, Contrada, DOC Ticino, Brivio Vini: A dry Merlot, vinified as a white wine, with pale gold color; slightly sweet floral and herbaceous nose, herbaceous flavors with a hint of smokiness; medium acidity; minerality comes through in this well-structured wine.

2011 Merlot, Pedrinate, DOC Ticino: A dry red wine, with dark red-purple color, slightly peppery flavors, with ripe, Bing cherries, hints of slight smoke and wood; mild tannins, very smooth overall.