Merlot

Merlot is the defining grape of Ticino, Switzerland's Italian-speaking wine region south of the Alps. Introduced in 1906 after phylloxera devastated the region's native vines, Merlot found a Mediterranean-climate home and never left. Today it accounts for over 80% of Ticino's wine production.

The range of Ticino Merlot is wide. Simple, everyday versions are fresh and fruity. Premium crus — aged in French barriques — develop concentration, structure, and complexity that has surprised international critics. Several Ticino Merlots have received scores above 90 points from major wine publications.

Outside Ticino, small plantings exist in Geneva and Valais, where the warm, dry climate also suits the variety. But Ticino remains Merlot's Swiss heartland — a visit to the region's cellars is the best way to understand what Swiss Merlot can achieve.