Best Swiss Alcoholic Beverage Types
Petite Arvine is a white grape variety that is mostly cultivated in Valais and Aosta Valley, although its exact origin is still somewhat vague. This late ripening grape is used in the production of dry and sweet wines which are typically intense and fragrant, with floral, citrus, and fruit aromas.
Most styles can benefit from aging, and they usually have well-balanced acidity and minerality. Dry wines made from Petite Arvine grapes pair well with white meat, seafood, charcuterie, and cheese.
THE BEST Petite Arvine Wine Varieties
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Glühwein is a type of mulled wine enjoyed in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a staple at Christmas markets and is often enjoyed as an après-ski drink. This German version is a classic, combining red wine, citrus zest, and spices such as anise, cinnamon, and cloves.
It is usually sweetened to taste. The ingredients are mixed and heated and should never be boiled. Variations sometimes use white instead of red wine, and some versions come with a liquor shot (mit Schuss). First bottled versions of German mulled wine appeared in Augsburg in the 1950s, and often these pre-sweetened and pre-spiced versions are reheated and served at Glühwein stands.
Williamine is a fruit brandy distilled from locally grown Williams pears. It is produced in Martigny, Valais, and the name has been protected by Morand distillery since 1953. A highly-prized version comes with the whole pear inside the bottle.
Williamine is a clear and transparent spirit with intense fruity aromas and flavors reminiscent of ripe pears. It is bottled at 43% ABV. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif, but it can also be incorporated into cocktails or long drinks.
Abricotine is a clear, colorless fruit brandy that is characterized by its dominant apricot flavor and subtle almond nuances. It is distilled from pitted and fermented Luizet apricots that are cultivated in the Valais area and are especially suitable for distillation.
The final distillate is cut with water to achieve the desired 40% ABV. Abricotine is best appreciated as a digestif, preferably served neat and well-chilled, but it also incorporates well in cocktails and desserts.
Poire Williams is a type of eau-de-vie (fruit brandy) that is distilled from fermented Williams pears. The production of this clear and colorless spirit is mostly associated with France, Switzerland, and Germany. The drink is often sold with a whole pear inside the bottle—this is achieved by attaching the bottle to a branch with a small pear.
The fruit is tucked inside and then allowed to grow inside the bottle. When it’s ripe, the fruit is cut off, and the distilled spirit is then poured inside. This brandy is usually of high quality, with clean and crisp flavor and ripe pear aromas.
VARIATIONS OF Poire Williams
This alcoholic beverage is produced with a base of a neutral spirit that is infused with a blend of botanicals, primarily the leaves of Artemisia absinthium, an ancient medicinal plant that is also known as wormwood or simply absinthe.
Other flavorings usually include different combinations of anise, fennel, melissa, coriander, or other botanicals. The result is a clear spirit often called white or blanche absinthe. Green or verte absinthe is made with maceration of plants, while some, usually low-quality versions, can be artificially dyed.
Although a doctor Pierre Ordinaire is often credited as the inventor of absinthe, the truth is that the plant has been used for centuries before the alleged Ordinaire’s creation.
THE BEST Absinthe Spirits
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The Golan Heights Distillery
Holy Spirit Verte
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding 2019
THE HERBALIST YASO
Absinthe prototype03
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold 2024
Chasselas is the most planted white grape variety in Switzerland. Although there are many theories about its origin, it is likely that the grape is native to Switzerland, where it also shows the best result, particularly in Vaud (its place of origin) and Valais, where it is better known as Fendant.
This early-ripening and bountiful grape perfectly reflects the terroir and produces light white wines that are low in alcohol in acidity. They are usually slightly aromatic, light-bodied, easy-drinking, and mineral, which makes them an excellent pairing with various courses.
Kafi Luz or Kafi Fertig is a Swiss coffee that is usually made with Träsch—fruit brandy produced from pear and apple pomace that is mainly enjoyed in Central Switzerland. The recipe includes a splash of fruit brandy (schnaps), sugar, boiling water, and instant coffee.
The drink should be pale and transparent, and it is typically served in a tall stemmed glass. This coffee was invented sometime in the 18th century when drinking schnaps was a common practice in Switzerland, especially in rural areas where each day would begin with a shot of brandy.
This renowned cherry brandy has been produced in the Zug region for over two hundred years. It is distilled from local cherry varieties and results in a clear, colorless spirit that is characterized by an intense, fruity flavor and subtle almond nuances.
Best served slightly chilled, Zuger kirsch is traditionally enjoyed neat, preferably as a digestif. The brandy is also known for its versatile culinary use. It is one of the essential ingredients in Zuger kirschtorte (Zug cherry cake) and spiced Basler läckerli cookies.
Damassine is a Swiss plum brandy that is traditionally produced in the Canton of Jura. It is distilled from fermented damson (damassine) plums. These small red plums are cultivated across Europe, but their origin still remains unclear.
The brandy is clear and colorless, with a strong cherry aroma and subtle herbaceous and almond notes. Damassine holds a protected AOP (PDO) status, and the entire production must take place in the designated area. When distilled, the brandy can only be mixed with regional water to reach the desired 40% ABV.
It has to be aged for a minimum of six months.
Best Swiss Alcoholic Beverage Producers
Seven Seals Innovation, based in Stans, Switzerland, is a pioneering company specializing in the production of whisky and rum. Known for its innovative "Stockhausen" method, the company has revolutionized the maturation process by significantly reducing the time required for spirits to reach their optimal flavor profile.
Seven Seals combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, offering a range of premium products that cater to diverse tastes. Their portfolio includes the Classic Line, featuring finishes such as Amarone, Peated Port, Port, and Sherry Wood, as well as the Zodiac Line, a series of limited editions inspired by the zodiac signs, each with unique flavor profiles.
AWARDS
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SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
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The World Whiskey Masters - Gold
2022
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European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2023
BEST Seven Seals Innovation Spirits
AWARDS
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2023, 2021, 2020
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold outstanding
2020
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World Gin Awards - Country Winner
2022
BEST Distillerie Studer Spirits
AWARDS
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2021, 2018
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Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2017
BEST Cantina Monti Wines
Brauerei Kloster Fischingen is a traditional brewery located in the Fischingen Abbey in the canton of Thurgau, Switzerland. The brewery has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1050. It operates within the historic framework of the abbey, which was once home to monks who brewed beer for their community.
The brewery is known for producing a variety of craft beers, often brewed according to traditional methods, using high-quality ingredients such as local barley and hops. The beers are typically characterized by their unique flavors, influenced by the region's natural resources and the centuries-old brewing techniques preserved by the abbey.
AWARDS
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2022
BEST Brauerei Kloster Fischingen Beers (Styles and Brands)
AWARDS
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Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2023, 2022
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Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2019
BEST Domaines Chevaliers Wines
AWARDS
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2021
BEST Absintissimo Spirits
AWARDS
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold outstanding
2020
BEST Langatun Distillery Liqueurs
AWARDS
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SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
BEST Rumundo Spirits
AWARDS
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Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2022, 2019, 2018, 2017
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Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2016
BEST Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen Wines
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