When it comes to summer white wines, most people reach for the usual suspects. The Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnays of the world. But what if we told you that this summer, the most refreshing, elegant, and utterly alpine (pun intended) wines come from a place you might not expect?
That's right, we're talking about Switzerland.
Between snow-capped peaks and crystalline lakes lies one of the wine world's best-kept secrets: Swiss wines. Crisp, mineral-driven, and made for long summer evenings, these are wines that can transport you straight to the heart of the Alps without ever leaving your backyard.
This summer, we're raising a glass to two of our favorite hidden gems: Chasselas and Petite Arvine. Trust me, you've probably never had them, but you're about to wonder where they've been all your life.
Chasselas from Cave de la Côte — The Soul of Swiss Summer
Chasselas (pronounced sha-suh-lah) is the signature white grape of Switzerland — and yet, it's almost unknown outside its alpine borders. Subtle, elegant, and beautifully nuanced, Chasselas, also known as Fendant, is the staple grape of the alpine country. Nicknamed the breakfast wine, and with good reason. It's great any time of the day or night.
The version we love comes from Cave de la Côte, one of the most respected cooperatives in the Vaud region. Their Chasselas is feather-light on the palate and slightly effervescent on the front, with soft floral notes of honeysuckle, a hint of citrus, and a refreshing minerality that echoes the limestone slopes on which it's grown. It's the definition of an "everyday wine," but in that understated, Swiss-precision kind of way.
Pair it with grilled fish, garden salads, fresh cheeses, or just a slow sunset with a loved one. This is a wine that doesn't shout. It speaks with quiet confidence and pure Alpine clarity.
Petite Arvine from Le Celliers de Sion: The "Diva" Grape
If Chasselas is the soul of Swiss wine, Petite Arvine is its vibrant beating heart. Grown in the terraced vineyards of Valais, the Indigenous varietal known as Petite Arvine thrives at elevations that would make most grapes tremble. Petite Arvine gained its nickname of "Diva" because of how incredibly difficult it is to cultivate this late-ripening grape. The result? A wine with intense aromatics, salty minerality, and zesty notes of grapefruit, rhubarb, and alpine herbs.
The Petite Arvine from Les Celliers de Sion is a standout — a wine that balances electric acidity with subtle roundness, making it irresistible and well-balanced. It's the kind of wine you pour when the grill is hot, the music is playing, and the evening stretches out in front of you.
It's also one of the rare few white wines that can truly "cool you off." The brisk minerality and that staple alpine freshness makes it feel like a breeze blowing down from the glacier.
From the Alps to Your Glass
Both Chasselas and Petite Arvine are made for summer, especially late summer, when the days are still hot but the nights are turning golden and soft. They're not just wines to drink; they're wines that take you places — to sun-drenched terraces in Lausanne, to the banks of Lake Geneva, to the dizzying vineyards carved into Alpine rock.
You won't find these wines at your local shop, and that's exactly what makes them so special. They're off the beaten path. A little hard to find. But worth the search. Have no Fear! You can find these wines right here at DDI Wine. Grab your bottle now before we sell out.
So this summer, skip the ordinary. Reach for the Alps. Discover why Swiss wine is the best-kept secret in the industry.
Leave a comment