SWISS WINE PAGE
SWISS WINE PAGE
The Ticino as the southern canton of Switzerland with its local national language Italian is situated on the other side of the
Gotthard mountain, bordering to Italy on three sides. It is divided into two regional districts called Sopraceneri
and Sottoceneri (upper and lower part of the Ceneri mountain). The very favourable mild Mediterranean climate of the Ticino
with more than 2,000 hours of sunshine and 1,800 mm rain per year - much more than in the northern regions - provides excellent
conditions for the ripening of the grapes (approx. 50'000 double quintals is the total vintage).
The major production is Merlot, imported from France (Bordeaux) at the end of the 19th century after a period when imported diseases such as phylloxera (wine-louse) and others had destroyed most of the vines. Merlot represents almost 80% of the harvest; the remaining vines are Pinot Noir, Bondola, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Clinton, Nostrano americano, Syrah, Chardonnay, Chasselas, Kerner, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling-Sylvaner, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and other old types of vines. In the valleys and the old vinyards the Pergola system can be found (roof growing system), which has in other regions been replaced by the Guyot system.
The soil is mainly crystalline, consisting of gneiss and granite, light and sandy; the pH value is almost acid (pH 5.5-6.5). In the Mendrisio region, however, the ground contains high quanitities of calcium.
Many small vinyard owners take care of the wine in their spare time. They normally do not harvest on their own, but sell the grapes to the cooperatives (e.g. Cantina Giubiasco or Cantina Sociale Mendrisio) or directly to the wine merchants. Since the 80s, however, some owners have started to harvest and produce wine on their own again. This provides a fresh experience to the wine-scene, giving a new impetus and contributing to an improved quality of the wine in the Ticino.