2010 Beer, Wine and Spirits Events in Switzerland

January 29-February 1, Lugano, Ticino, Lugano Wine Festival, www.ristora.ch

March 11-14, Weinfelden, Thurgau, Wine and Gourmet Fair, www.schlaraffia.ch

March 15-17, Estavayer-le-Lac, Fribourg, Coop wine fair on a boat moored here, international and Swiss wines, www.coop.ch/les-rois-du-vin

March 18-21, city of Neuchâtel, Coop wine fair on a boat moored here, international and Swiss wines, www.coop.ch/les-rois-du-vin

March 18-25, Messezentrum Zurich-Oerlikon, Expovina-Primavera, international and Swiss wines, www.expovina-primavera.ch

April 14-19, Morges, Vaud, Arvinis wine fair, international and Swiss wines, California Wines guest of honor in 2010, www.arvinis.com

May 1, Epesses, Vaud, new wine from vineyards in the heart of the Lavaux UNESCO world heritage site, helicopter rides over the area 45.-Swiss francs adults, 30.-francs children, www.epesses-nouveau.ch

May 13-15, Valais, open house days of wineries, www.vinsduvalais.ch

May 13-15, Martigny, Valais, beer fest, international and Swiss beers, www.fetedelabiere.ch

May 21-22, Vaud, open house days of wineries, www.vins-vaudois.com

May 29, Geneva, open house day of wineries, www.lesvinsdegeneve.ch

May (dates to be confirmed), Ticino, ”Cantine Aperte” - open house day at wineries, www.ticinowine.ch

June 19, Boveresse, Neuchâtel, festival in the heart of absinthe country - absinthe originated in Neuchâtel, www.fetedelabsinthe.ch

June 19-20, Schaffhausen’s ‘’Traubenblütenfest” celebrates first buds on the vines in this Swiss wine region known for its ‘’Blauburgunder” (= Pinot Noir), www.blauburgunderland.sh

September 2-5, Bellinzona, Ticino, a wine harvest festival offering music, theater, a costume parade and of course plenty of local wine, www.bacchica.ch

September 4-5, Sierre, Valais, wine tasting event with a focus on Swiss wines, some international, www.vinea.ch

September 18-19, Russin, Geneva, wine harvest festival features Au Coin des Connaisseurs tasting bar with over 135 Geneva wines, www.fetedesvendangesrussin.ch. Geneva being the ”international capital” of World Circus Year 2010, a circus theme will run through the festival this year, more at www.worldcircus.org

September 24-26, City of Neuchâtel, street party atmosphere, food and local wine, entertainment - the Fête des Vendanges is Switzerland’s biggest annual wine harvest festival, www.fete-des-vendanges.ch

September 24-26, Fläsch, Graubünden, local wine fest, www.graubuendenwein.ch

September 24-26, Mendrisio, Ticino, the Sagra dell’ Uva celebrates local wine and food, with lots of entertainment, www.sagradelluva.ch

October 15-24, BEA Bern Expo, international and Swiss wines, regional food products, www.bernerweinmesse.ch

October 23-31, Messe Basel, international and Swiss wine and whisky fair, www.baslerweinmesse.ch

October and November (dates to be confirmed), Geneva and Lausanne, Coop wine fairs on moored boats, international and Swiss wines, www.coop.ch/les-rois-du-vin

November 4-18, Buerkliplatz, Zurich City, Expovina, Switzerland’s largest wine event on 12 boats, international and Swiss wines, www.expovina.ch

November 6, Peissy, Geneva, Fête de la St. Martin, all the village wineries are open for wine tasting, this event has a lot of authenticity and charm, www.lesvinsdegeneve.ch

November (dates to be confirmed), Jardin Anglais, Geneva City, tasting of Geneva wines on a lake boat, www.barkavin.ch

December (dates to be confirmed), Buerkliplatz, Zurich City, on a moored boat, international whiskies, www.whiskyschiff.ch

More about Swiss products: go to www.swisswine.ch and click through to regional promotion offices for local events. In general, attending local fests, the annual home exhibition fairs held in the larger cities, food fairs and markets, are also a great way to learn more about Swiss beer, wine and spirits.

More about international products: Swiss wine and spirits merchants regularly organize tastings, and foreign wine promotion offices and other interest groups do as well usually in hotels - check your papers locally, or go on the websites of producers that interest you to see if they are featuring any special events in Switzerland.