Grand Prix du Vin Suisse co-organisers VINEA Association and Vinum magazine are delighted to announce the 2018 edition of the leading competition for Swiss wines, to be held June 25th – 30th.

No less than 2867 wines will be tasted in Sierre by 158 judges, and there are 32 more entries than in last year's competition, despite the fact that the 2017 harvest was the lowest in 40 years. 

With repeated episodes of frost in spring and hail in August, 2017 will go down as one of the most challenging vintages in many years.  The national production level was the lowest in 40 years, and yet, for its 12^thedition, the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse has seen an increase in entries, with a total of 2867 wines taking part. Another positive sign is the increasing number of producers taking part, representing a total of 525 wineries (14 more compared to 2017) ; entries have been received from 19 cantons, effectively giving the competition very broad national coverage. 

More Merlot and sparkling wine

Half of the entries are from the 2017 vintage. Of the 13 categories, some are slightly down in terms of entries compared to last year (White Mono-varietals down by 18 entries, Gamay down by 5), but by way of contrast there has been a distinct increase in the Merlot (+66 entries/an increase of 66%) and sparkling wine categories (+23 entries/an increase of 27%).

Six days of tasting in Sierre, Gala du Vin Suisse to be held in Bern on October 18th

The 2867 entries will be judged by 158 experts in Sierre from June 25^th– 30^th, in accordance with the strict rules of the Swiss Oenologists Union. The list of winning wines will be revealed in August, including the names of the six best wines from each of the competition's 13 categories. These short-listed wines will take part in the grand finale, culminating in the  Gala du Vin Suisse on October 18^thin Bern's Kursaal. During this event, the name of the winner of the Winery of the Year award will be revealed. 

More information

VINEA, Emeline Zufferey, technical director                   

Association VINEA, + 41 27 456 31 44. [email protected]