Exploring Alpine Wine

Taste a diverse range of six artisanal Alpine wines, produced in limited quantities, in small vineyards, on steep slopes from Switzerland, Austria, France and Italy.

The breath-taking Alpine landscape forces winemakers to heroic efforts. Working at altitude, in an extreme climate is uniquely challenging. And many of their wines are rarely exported.

The Swiss happily drink most of the wine that they produce, exporting less than 2%. Much of it enjoyed in some of the world's best restaurants, Switzerland has more Michelin stars per capita than any other country.

Our tasting includes two Swiss wines curated by niche regional specialist Alpine Wines. Founded by Swiss born Joelle Nebbe-Mornod, she has developed relationships with small scale, family winemakers connected to their land across generations.

We will also taste one of Joelle’s favourite wines from the sunny slopes of Alto Adige, North East Italy. Here vineyard sites reach 900 metres and yet enjoy the same sunshine hours as Palermo. The Alpine climate, old vines and a wine growing culture that pre-dates Roman times, lend a unique character to a delightful light red made from the native Grauvernatsch / Schiava Grigia grape variety.

Austria one of the best-kept wine secrets in Europe. Its wealth of indigenous grapes and quality-conscious, small family producers make it a treasure trove for those wanting to expand their wine horizons. We will taste a delicious crisp, fresh-tasting Grüner Veltliner and a spicy red Blaufränkisch.

The tasting also features, from France, one of the top estates in Savoie. An old-vine cuvée of the local Jacquère grape from a top vineyard site.

The wines on show:

Switzerland - Chasselas Romand £17.00

Switzerland - Gamaret-Garanoir Expression £22.20

Italy - Schiava Grigia £20.00

Austria - Rainer Wess Grüner Veltliner £10.00

Austria - Stift Klosterneuburg Blaufränkisch £8.50

France - Chignin Anne de Biguerne, Domaine Jean-François Quénard £13.00