Vaud is one of Switzerland's 26 administrative cantons (regions) and the country's second-largest wine region. It is known for crisp, white Chasselas wines and stunning lakeside landscapes, two qualities which reach their mutual zenith in the grand crus of Dezaley and Calamin. The famous Lavaux vineyard terraces, which rise steeply up above Lake Geneva, are considered of such importance that they are now enjoy protected status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The classic Vaud wine is a Chasselas-based white with elegant aromas of lemon peel, fresh pears, wet stones and a faint hint of white pepper.
The main Vaud vineyard area arches broadly around Lake Geneva from La Cote in the west, via Lavaux in the center to Chablais at the lake's eastern edge. North of the lake are a handful of satellite viticultural areas around Lake Neuchatel and along the banks of the Orbe river. Located in the French-speaking south-west, Vaud is flanked by three other key Swiss wine regions: Geneva, Neuchatel and Valais. Just across the Jura Mountains, which form the canton's western edge (the Swiss border with France) is the French Jura.
Unusually among Swiss wine regions, Vaud produces more white wine than red (about twice as much in fact). Its winegrowers have not fallen quite so hard for the charms of the allures of Pinot Noir as those in other regions. In Vaud, Chasselas – by far Switzerland's most popular white-wine grape – reigns supreme. In 2013 there were 5800 acres (2350 ha) of Chasselas vines in the region's vineyards, accounting for an impressive 38% of Switzerland's white-wine vines. The aromas and flavors of Chasselas vary greatly; the grape is famous for reflecting even the subtlest variations in terroir. A Chasselas wine from a cool, limestone-rich vineyard is a world away from one grown in a sunny site with volcanic soils.
Other than Chasselas, Vaud is home to increasing quantities of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc – a sign of Switzerland's increasing focus on export markets, where this popular variety is highly marketable. Pinot Gris is also present, plus about half as much Pinot Blanc. Viognier is steadily gaining in popularity here too – rather apt given that the Rhone flows 'through' Lake Geneva before reaching the variety's homeland in the French section of the Rhone Valley.
Although white wines outnumber and overshadow all others in the Vaud, there are still some high-quality reds made here – predominantly from Pinot Noir and Gamay, but also from the crossings Gamaret and Garanoir. A small number of Bordeaux-style wines are beginning to emerge from Vaud vineyards, made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
The climate in Vaud is heavily moderated by the waters of Lake Geneva, which alleviate the spring frosts and reduce the summertime highs to around 86°F (30°C). As the sun passes over the lake during the day, a great deal of light is reflected up to the vineyards above, many of which are terraces carved into the south-facing slopes. This temperate climate and high luminosity is the secret behind Vaud's reliable terroir, although relatively high rainfall does dampen conditions slightly.
The vast majority of vines grown in the Vaud are owned by individuals rather than large wine companies – a further sign that Switzerland is a newcomer to large-scale wine commercialization. Many thousands of smallholders sell their grapes under contract or make wine co-operatively, but a growing number are now motivated to produce their own wine or group together in much smaller co-operatives. With the nation's embryonic export markets and the intense competition of the past decade, however, few of these names have reached consumers outside Switzerland.
