Book Review: Switzerland—The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide

I want to shout out the latest addition to the modest but growing library of books dedicated to Swiss wine. Switzerland: The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide—from the folks at Académie du Vin Library—is the sixth in a series of excellent wine related travel guides. Previous guides include Rioja, Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Tuscany, and the Rhône Valley. As you may have noticed, the Swiss guide is the only one dedicated to an entire nation, which, as you can imagine, presents a different kind of challenge. Especially when that nation is somewhat heterogeneous with four national languages and 26 semi-autonomous cantons—each with its own wine laws.

That may be one reason why this is the only guide in the series to be co-authored. Or, maybe it’s because each of the authors brings a particular expertise.

Marc Checkley is well known around these parts as an engaging speaker and content creator on the topics of food and wine. His easy, good-natured approach to both topics belies his insider’s knowledge of the current scene. From his base in Vaud he is well-positioned to offer knowledgeable recommendations on wineries, restaurants, and hotels with boots-on-the-ground authority.

Simon Hardy is equally well known, but I suspect is somewhat less visible. He has a deep knowledge of Swiss wine and is well respected with connections all over Switzerland. In addition to judging and publishing his own content, he works closely with the trade group, Swiss Wine Promotion, for whom he organizes trade and public tastings from his London base.

Like others guides in the Smart Traveller’s series the Swiss guide is ideally sized for the tourist who likes to pack light. After an introduction to Swiss wine the book contains an overview of the history, geography, main grape varieties, and prevailing styles of wine one is likely to find in the various regions. Each of these topics is dispatched with clarity and brevity.

The book really shines—as a good guide book should—in its recommendations of places to go and things to do. First up, is a monthly calendar of wine festivals and events from around the country—from Neuchâtel’s “Non-Filtré” release party in January to Zürich’s Expovina in November— there’s literally something for everybody. A comprehensive list of open cellar dates for each wine region is a welcome inclusion.

I was most impressed with the suggested wine country itineraries—eight of them— which take you to every corner of the country, offering the traveller a complete picture of Switzerland’s most important wine-growing regions. There are even a few suggested off-piste idylls should time permit. Most helpful is a brief explanation of the Swiss public transport system which I advise any traveller to utilize. Nearly every address in Switzerland is accessible via public transport, and, with the proper pass, everything—busses, trams, water taxis, and trains—is included in a single fare.

Finally, a thorough list of wine-friendly hotels, restaurants (both casual and luxe), wine shops, and bars in each of the regions is included. Bottom-line: wherever you find yourself in Switzerland this book will direct you to the best wine-related experiences available. As a Swiss resident and passionate follower of the nation’s wines, I have visited most of the places suggested here—often more than once—and I can attest: this book is the real deal and well worth the modest cost.