The only Swiss vineyard area on the southern slopes of the Alps, Ticino is exposed to abundant rainfall and generous sunshine. This climate, with maritime influences, favoured the development of Merlot. Nearly 80 percent of Ticino's vineyards are planted with Merlot which, when it enjoys a favourable situation and is vinified according to the rules of the art, sets itself up as a real competitor to Bordeaux's red wines. It thrives both on the steep terraces of Sopraceneri in the north of the canton and on gently sloping vine parcels in Sottoceneri. Sometimes vinified as a white, Merlot Bianco is an elegant white wine that is becoming more and more popular.
Merlot, originally from Bordeaux, has found a second home in Ticino where it produces distinguished wines and gives birth to some of the most prestigious vintages in the country. Thanks to effective communication on a unique grape variety known to all, Ticino has the strongest and best-known image of all Swiss wine regions.
In Switzerland's wine-producing regions, which include Valais, Vaud, German-speaking Switzerland, Geneva, Ticino and the Three-Lakes region, over 2,500 winegrowers cultivate 14,569 hectares of vineyards.
The special relief of the Swiss vineyards leads to viticulture on a human scale, where the winemaker's hand is the most important tool in helping the grapes to ripen.
Switzerland offers numerous wine tourism destinations and activities in the heart of the Alps. A wide variety of landscapes and grape varieties ensure exciting experiences.
Pairing wine and food doesn't have to be complicated. We show how the right wine can perfectly round off a dish.
From the grapevine to the wine glass: discover fascinating insights about wine, learn technical terms, and deepen your knowledge with our wine courses.
Ticino Wine Region
The land of Merlot by excellence
Distribution of grape varieties
These graphs show some key figures for Ticino wines
Red surface
(1052 HA)
White surface
(129 HA)
A
B
C
D
Merlot, 897 HA
Chardonnay, 50 HA
Sauvignon blanc, 20 HA
Others, 214 HA
The map of AOC in the region
The Ticino region has 1 AOC.
Sopraceneri
The Sopraceneri wine region in the north of Ticino covers around 300 hectares of vineyards and extends over the Maggia, Leventina and Blenio valleys. The soils consist mainly of granite and slate, which gives the wines a pronounced minerality and freshness. Due to the Alpine influence, the temperatures are somewhat cooler than in the south, which often makes the Merlot wines here a little lighter and more elegant. In addition to Merlot, other varieties such as Bondola, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also cultivated.
Sottoceneri
The southern part of Ticino, with around 600 hectares of vineyards, includes the vineyards around Lugano, Mendrisio and Chiasso. The warmer, Mediterranean climate and the clay and limestone soils provide ideal conditions for powerful, full-bodied Merlot wines, which are often aged in barriques. In addition to Merlot, other red varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Gamaret thrive here, as do white wines made from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines from Sottoceneri are often smoother and more intense than those from the north.
Events in the region
All events taking place in the Ticino region
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