© Wikimedia/Roland
Zurichsee is a wine region in eastern Switzerland, named after the lake (Lake Zurich) whose shores it surrounds. As might be inferred from the name, both the lake and its surrounding vineyards are located near Zurich, Switzerland's largest city.
The Zurichsee vineyards are on the losing side of a battle with the continuing urbanization of the Lake Zurich area – and indeed, much of Switzerland. Whereas in 1930 the Swiss population was predominantly rural, it is now unquestionably largely urban, with 70% of Swiss citizens living in the ever-expanding cities. The shores of Lake Zurich illustrate this fact perfectly, lined as they are with an uninterrupted flow of streets and houses. The same story is being played out in the Limmattal, on the northern side of Zurich, making it increasingly likely that Switzerland's future success on the world wine stage will be launched almost exclusively from the less-populated cantons – Ticino, Vaud and Valais.
The Zurich climate is cool when averaged out across the year. The summers are warm and relatively dry, but the continental climate makes for a cold winter. The lake sits at an altitude of 1300ft (400m) and the slopes above it rise to just under 3000ft (915m), emphasizing the effects of the climate but intensifying the bright sunlight.
The lakeside vineyards are mostly home to the red grape varieties Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) and Merlot, but Muller-Thurgau, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc are used to make a small quantity of white wine. These are typically light-bodied and have crisp acidity.
