Grape wine harvest in Satigny, canton Geneva
BERN, SWITZERLAND – Swiss wine producers have enjoyed the fruits of three excellent harvests in a row, with 2011 promising to make it four, but this doesn’t mean it’s easy to sell wine at a fair price, some argue.
A group of 15 Geneva wine producers have banded together to start a Swiss national popular initiative that would protect some agricultural products against the open market. They say the move is necessary since the Cassis de Dijon principle went into effect in 2009, allowing European Union wines free entry into Switzerland through bilateral agreements.
Swiss wines, which have a good reputation in international wine circles, are competitive price-wise with European wines of comparable quality, but they have trouble competing against the lower end of the market—the very low-cost mass-produced wines from huge estates that are worked by machine.
Hardest hit may be producers in border regions such as Geneva, where cheap wines from Italy and southern France can be brought in inexpensively.
The widespread notion that the Swiss drink all their own wine and have none left for export is gradually being debunked, as tiny holdings give way to producers of a size capable of export and top quality producers find niches abroad. But the home market remains crucial for most producers, many of whom sell only through small outlets to avoid pressure from supermarket chains on their small profit margins.
Protectionism versus EU bilateral agreement
The Geneva grower-producers, under the leadership of Willy Cretegny, have filed an initiative: “”Pour une économie utile à tous”. It is backed by two key Geneva wine groups, the Association genevoise des vignerons encaveurs and the Inter-profession des vins de Genève. It calls for the Swiss Confederation to:
- legislate against unfair competition and dumping
- legislate to protect Swiss products through customs duties
- limit the quantity of products that can be imported
- oblige imported products to meet the same social, environmental and production standards that Swiss producers must meet.
The initiative also calls for the federal government to take steps to prevent players who dominate the market from “abusive price-setting” practices and to fight the negative economic and social implications of price wars.
They have until the end of 2013 to collect 100, 000 signatures to put their initiative to the vote, with the entire process taking about five years.
Vetroz, canton Valais, Switzerland and the Alps, 16 October 2010 (click on image to view larger)
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - For those of you hoping that the woolens you’ve put on will be needed only temporarily, the chilly autumn in Switzerland looks set to continue, with just a a flash of near-warmth Saturday 23 October, when temperatures in the west of the country might rise to 16C.
The vineyards throughout the country are showing spectacular colours this year as a result of the continuing colder than usual weather.
Temperatures in September in 2009 were frequently above 30C, according to Meteoswiss, but in 2010 they never rose above 25C in German-speaking Switzerland, and rarely elsewhere.
Geneva had one day of 25C and Sion in Valais only three.
Overall, September was colder than usual, but it was also drier than normal.
For weather in Geneva and Zurich, be sure to check our GenevaLunch weather page.
New day in the Alps, 21 November 2009
Days' end in the Alps, Friday 20 November
Lake Geneva region, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - It’s the in-between season in Switzerland, too early for snow for the skiers, too late for warm pools and barbecues for the summer folk.
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, consider a hike. Better yet, take a hike in the vineyards, anywhere from Geneva to Vaud to Valais. The vineyards are etched with small paths, open to the public, which is one of Switzerland’s great assets and the reason the Swiss are some of the world’s best walkers.
The weather has been exceptionally mild, with few strong winds, and the autumn colours are still lingering. You can hike up to 1,000 metres among the vines without more than a sweater or light jacket this weekend.
Weather forecast: highs of 12C in the Lake Geneva region to 16C in Valais, with mostly sunny skies, dry, some cloud cover (MeteoSwiss)
New GenevaLunch photo album: Switzerland outdoors November 2009
Title: Gastronomical walk in Lake Geneva
Location: Vevey and Montreux, Vaud
Link out: Click here
Description: The “Gourmande route” is a 5km walk through some of the most popular vineyards in Vevey-Montreux and a taste of the region.
Date: 13 Sep 2009
Title: Train ride through the land of the “grand crus”
Location: Lavaux, Cully and Lutry
Link out: Click here
Description: From April to October ride a charming tourist train on wheels and visit the Lavaux vineyards. Departure from Lutry or Cully.
Start Date: 30 Aug 2009
End Date: 01 Oct 2009
Title: Guided wine tour
Location: Ollon, Vaud
Link out: Click here
Description: Take a tour through the vineyards of Ollon, enjoy a meal and partake in wine tasting.
Start Date: 09 Sep 2009
End Date: 13 Sep 2009
Title: A stroll along the vineyards of Morges
Location: Morges, Vaud
Link out: Click here
Description: A day for strolling through the vineyards in Morges, savouring local wines and dishes, and enjoying the view of Lake Geneva.
Date: 05 Sep 2009
Title: Historical hike (songs included)
Location: Yverdon, Vaud
Link out: Click here
Description: A historical hike of Yverdon, with a guide dressed in costume and… singing. (German singing available by request).
Sponsored by the Association of Swiss-Patrimony Guides and Interpreters (Asgip).
Date: 30 Aug 2009
Title: Hiking under the lights of the vineyard
Location: Corcelles-pres-Concise (foot of the Jura, near Yverdon)
Link out: Click here
Description: A guided tour of vineyards near Yverdon, accompanied by tales of legends of the region and wine tasting. CHF15
Date: 12 Mar 2009
