Calamin Grand Cru AOC Cuvée Vincent 2022

Cuvée Vincent comes from Calamin, one of Lavaux's two grands crus along with Dézaley, its immediate neighbour. This small appellation, located entirely within the commune of Epesses, overlooks Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud. Its clay-limestone soil gives complete, robust Chasselas wines, deeply imbued with their terroir. The cuvée pays tribute to Vincent Duboux, Blaise's father, who handed down to him this family estate, now farmed under certified organic agriculture.

The Chasselas is harvested at full ripeness from hand-worked vines, then vinified traditionally in stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation takes place without oak, to let the minerality of the soil express itself fully. Calamin is a wine that needs time: as Vincent Duboux used to say, you have to wait until the Christmas after bottling to appreciate it at its true worth. Given patience, it gains further complexity over years in the cellar.

This wine reveals notes of ripe apple, apricot, pear, lemon zest, linden blossom, honey, hazelnut and flint. The racy, mineral nose keeps a hint of rusticity that is part of Calamin's charm. The palate is broad and rich, carried by lovely saline tension. The long, mineral finish calls for lake fish, crustaceans and seafood.

Switzerland, a country known for its majestic mountains and shimmering lakes, also boasts a rich and diverse winemaking heritage. While less famous than its French or Italian neighbors, Swiss viticulture enjoys an excellent reputation thanks to the exceptional quality of its wines. Swiss vineyards are primarily located in the regions of Vaud, Valais, Geneva, Neuchâtel, and Ticino, each offering unique climatic conditions and soils that lend themselves to the cultivation of distinct grape varieties. Valais is the largest wine-growing region in Switzerland, renowned for its aromatic white wines such as Fendant, made from Chasselas grapes, and for powerful reds like Cornalin and Humagne Rouge. The region's dry, sunny climate, combined with schist and granite soils, creates ideal conditions for these grape varieties. The Vaud region, particularly around Lake Geneva, is renowned for its elegant white wines, notably the Lavaux wines, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These terraced vineyards offer not only wines of great finesse but also spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Geneva, while smaller in terms of wine production, is dynamic and innovative, producing a variety of wines ranging from classic Chasselas and Gamay to experiments with international grape varieties. Ticino, close to Italy, is dominated by Merlot, which is vinified there as both red and white (Merlot Blanc is vinified without contact with the grape skins). The mild climate and clay-limestone soils give these wines remarkable structure and complexity. Neuchâtel excels in the production of white wines, particularly its Chasselas, but is also known for its Œil-de-Perdrix, a delicate and highly regarded rosé. Swiss wines, often produced in small quantities but with meticulous attention to detail, are primarily consumed locally or exported in small amounts, making them hidden gems for connoisseurs and wine lovers worldwide. Switzerland is a country where tradition and innovation meet in the vineyards, offering an authentic and high-quality wine experience.