Nick Dobson Wines Geneva Region

Geneva District The Geneva region, at the western end of Lake Geneva adjacent to the French border, produces a wide range of different grape types and wines, whose styles vary considerably throughout the Canton, given the variety of soil types. Broadly speaking, they are at their most full-bodied and strongest in the Mandement to the west of the city, becoming softer and lighter moving anticlockwise around the end of the lake. Geneva whites include wines made from the principal indigenous white grape, the Chasselas, but include also international varieties such as Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Chardonnay. Many better Swiss reds come from the Geneva area; good Swiss Gamays are not unlike some Beaujolais - aromatic, full-bodied, smooth, with a little spiciness. Good examples of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are also found, along with heavier wines from exciting Swiss varieties such as Gamaret and Garanoir, and international varieties Syrah and Zinfandel. There are also some truly excellent blends, both red and white, which are well worth trying.

René Desbaillets, Domaine des Abeilles d'Or, Chouilly/Genève

Originally from the small hamlet of "Les Baillets" in the heart of the Geneva winegrowing district, the Desbaillets family is mentioned in local archives going back over 500 years. Domaine des Abeilles d'Or has developed a fine reputation, and is run today by current generation René Desbaillets. The estate has some 34 hectares of vines in the village of Chouilly, which is in the Satigny district - today the largest winegrowing district in Switzerland. Vines grow here at an altitude of between 450 and 500 meters, on clay loam soils over porous sandstone bedrock. Réné, ably assisted by his winemaker son Larent (recent graduate of the winemaking school at Changins) makes a wide range of red, rosé, white, and sparkling wines here. Of particular note is the estate's Douce Noire, an oaked red blend of international and Swiss varieties, which regularly sweeps the board in competitions.

A heraldic note - on the family crest (see right) the blue represents the sky, Justice and Beauty, the Golden bees symbolize wealth and nobility. The striped band represents virtue, ardour, love and courage. Nothing could better describe the wonderful landscape of hills around Chouilly, and the great wines and character of the producer!

Chasselas de Satigny 2007 Domaine des Abeilles d'Or Chouilly, Geneva
Ref: 4100063

This wine is a very pale yellow, with great purity of colour; a very clean-looking wine. It has aromas of peardrops and lime, echoed on the palate along with a hint of smoke and a smooth minerality. Serve chilled - makes a good apéritif, or drink with fish, seafood, chicken. Also good with asparagus dishes.

Price: £11.50 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Pinot Blanc de Chouilly 2007 Domaine des Abeilles d'Or Chouilly, Geneva
Ref: 4100065

This wine is a very pale yellow, with great purity of colour; a very clean-looking wine. It has aromas of peardrops and honey, echoed on the palate along with a hint of smoke and a smooth minerality. Serve chilled around 8-9 deg C - makes a good apéritif, or drink with fish, seafood, chicken. Particularly good with salmon and asparagus dishes.

Price: £15.50 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Chardonnay de Genève 2007 Domaine des Abeilles d'Or Chouilly, Geneva
Ref: 4100066

A pale golden yellow with complex aromas of exotic fruits - mango and pineapple. Lively, rich, and fruity on the palate, well balanced, both powerful and elegant. Drink chilled to around 8-9 deg C. The perfect accompaniment to fish and seafood dishes, terrines, salmon, and caviar.

Price: £15.50 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Rosé de Gamay de Satigny 2007 Domaine des Abeilles d'Or Chouilly, Geneva
Ref: 4100067

*(*)

A pale pink with fine fruity aromas of fraise des bois and raspberries. Fresh and fruity on the palate, this is the ideal summer wine. Drink chilled to 8-9 deg C with salads, grilled meats, barbeques etc.

Gold medal winner at the "Sélection des Vins de Genève" 2008.

Price: £11.50 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Rosé de Gamay de Satigny 2007 Domaine des Abeilles d'Or Chouilly, Geneva

Douce Noire 2007 Domaine des Abeilles d'Or Chouilly, Geneva
Ref: 4100064

**(*)

A fabulous dark red, highly aromatic, with exceptional structure and length, "Douce Noire" is a big wine. Confusingly, it is not made from the Dolcetto grape (also known as "Douce Noir" in neighbouring Savoie in France), but is in fact a blend made from 5 other red grape varieties. Gamaret provides a hint of liquorice; Garanoir and Pinot Noir give the perfume of ripe red fruits; Cabernet Sauvignon gives backbone and structure, whilst Merlot contributes silky tannins. The resulting wine is aged in oak barrels, adding a creamy vanilla edge. The overall result is truly exceptional, and one of the highlights in my range of Swiss wines. This wine has regularly received excellent reviews in the Guide Hachette, and frequently wins prizes in Swiss competitions. It will age well and is packaged in a beautiful tall slender bottle, which (thankfully) just fits in our packing cases! Keeps 10+ years. Drink around 17-18 deg. C with red meats, game, and robust cheeses.

Price: £23.75 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Douce Noire 2007 Domaine des Abeilles d'Or Chouilly, Geneva

Roger Burgdorfer, Domaine du Paradis, Satigny

Didier Cornut (left) and Roger Burgdorfer

I first came across Domaine du Paradis many years ago, when in my pre-wine trade days on a business trip to Geneva I sought the advice of a local wine merchant on a decent bottle of local red to bring home - this was in the days when you could carry wine on planes - and was sold a bottle of the Domaine's Pont des Soupirs rouge, which was exquisite. Imagine my surprise, when next in Geneva, and invited to a wine-loving colleague's flat for dinner, when he opened another bottle of the same wine! One of the most fascinating producers in the Geneva region, the Domaine has 40 hectares of vines on sloping hills near the village of Satigny. The estate is owned by Roger and Rosette Burgdorfer, who look after the vineyards, whilst oenologue Didier Cornut, who has worked with the Burgdorfers since 1991, is in charge of winemaking. The estate philosophy is to limit the use of chemicals in both the farming and winemaking. Roger and Didier share a wacky sense of humour, evidenced by their tasting room and wine labels, which are adorned with countless devils and angels in a "heaven and hell" theme. Paradis produces a wide range of wines from about 20 different grape varietals, and makes both unblended and blended wines. Of particular note are the wines bearing the "Pont des Soupirs" (Bridge of sighs) name - a white Viognier and the stunning red blend mentioned earlier - Pont des Soupirs Rouge is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Gamaret - and some of the single varietals such as the Syrah, and unusually for Switzerland a Zinfandel - undoubtedly influenced by Didier having spent spent several years in California working as an oenologue.

Sauvignon Blanc de Chouilly 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100074

Very aromatic, packed with gooseberry flavours, with hints of cassis and sage, this is an exotic Sauvignon which partners well with salmon, asparagus, artichokes and cheese dishes.

Price: £16.85 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Pont des Soupirs Blanc (Viognier) 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100070

The Pont des Soupirs Blanc has spicy and fruity aromas and a complex powerful taste including aniseed, cloves, spice, peach, and apricots. Half the production is oak-aged, the other half tank-aged, and the end result is a blend of the two halves. A superb wine, showing what can be done with Viognier in the right hands. Great on its own but also goes well with oysters and seafood of all types as well as cheeses. One of my favourite Swiss wines.

Price: £20.95 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Gamay de Satigny 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100068

This Gamay has good depth of colour, a spicy nose, and is full-bodied, earthy, and packed with red berry fruit. This is absolutely classic Geneva Gamay. Drink around 14-15 degrees with most red and white meats and cheeses; particularly good with hams and mushroom-based dishes, also good with pasta.

Price: £12.15 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Pinot Noir Élevé en Fûts de Chêne 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100072

* £

This Pinot Noir is matured for 1 year in 2-year old oak barrels. A good example of Pinot Noir, quite typical of how this grape performs in the Geneva area. This wine has a medium-dark purple colour, with a light spicy nose with dark berry fruits, with a slightly smoky/mineral edge. On the the palate it is heavier than the nose suggests, medium bodied, very dry, with good fruit, quite savoury, and with pleasing soft tannins. Serve around 15-16 degrees, and allow to breathe for about an hour before serving. Drink with white or red meat dishes and fine cheeses. Very approachable now but the producer suggests that the wine will reach its peak after 4 to 5 years of bottle ageing.

Price: £16.85 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Pinot Noir Élevé en Fûts de Chêne 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva

Zinfandel 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100069

I first tasted the 2002 vintage of this wine at Domaine du Paradis as a "mystery wine", and was asked to guess what it was. I thought it vaguely reminiscent of good Italian wines I had tasted from around Montepulciano, and yet it also had cedary spicy characteristics reminiscent of a good Claret. I was however kept waiting 3 months before being allowed to know its true identity! It was in fact Zinfandel - a synonym for southern Italy's Primitovo grape used there to make big powerful alcoholic wines. This example from Roger Burgdorfer is a meaty chunky wine that seems as if it too should have come from southern Mediterranean climes; very deep red, warming, with great body and structure, earthy, spicy, and with aromas of cedar, cinnamon, and cloves. Very definitely one to drink with food. This wine typifies the extremely innovative approach taken by Roger Burgdorfer at Domaine du Paradis. Outstanding.

Price: £20.95 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Noir Divin 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100071

A new addition to the Paradis range, Noir Divin is a blend of Gamaret, Merlot, and Garanoir aged part in tank and part in barrel. This wine has aromas of black fruits and spices, and is powerful and fruity on the palate, with a supple structure and silky tannins. It goes divinely with red meats, game or cheese. Drink now and to 2014.

Price: £18.65 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Garanoir de Satigny 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100073

Garanoir is a Swiss variety, a cross between Reichensteiner and Gamay - as is Gamaret, although the two are quite different. This example is typically spicy, with a warming palate, well rounded, with good fruit, silky tannins and good balance. An ideal partner for roast meats and Italian dishes.

Price: £13.65 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Le Diable Rouge (Syrah) 2005 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 410039

A big wine; very dark red, this spicy Syrah has aromas of violet and cloves. On the palate it is rich and warming; a sumptuous spicy wine which has good length and a dry spicy finish. The ideal partner for the game and truffle-based dishes.

Price: £17.21 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Le Diable Rouge (Syrah) 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100076

*(*)

Pont des Soupirs Rouge 2004 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100038

**(*)

For me the star wine of the entire Domaine du Paradis range - this stunning red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Gamaret. It's a vin de garde requiring 5 to 8 years before it peaks - although it is still really quite approachable in it's youth. A dark pastel red, on the nose it's not unlike a decent Bordeaux, with aromas of pepper, licorice, vanilla, cedar, and violets. On the palate it's substantial, with masses of fruit, vanilla. The ideal wine for red meats, game and duck.

Price: £18.65 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Pont des Soupirs Rouge 2004 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva

Pont des Soupirs Rouge 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva
Ref: 4100075

**(*)

For me the star wine of the entire Domaine du Paradis range - this stunning red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Gamaret. It's a vin de garde requiring 5 to 8 years before it peaks - although it is still really quite approachable in it's youth. A dark pastel red, on the nose it's not unlike a decent Bordeaux, with aromas of pepper, licorice, vanilla, cedar, and violets. On the palate it's substantial, with masses of fruit, vanilla. The ideal wine for red meats, game and duck.

In new livery for the 2007 vintage.

Price: £22.95 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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Pont des Soupirs Rouge 2007 Roger Burgdorfer Domaine du Paradis Satigny, Geneva

Rosé de Pinot Noir de Peissy 2005 (50cl) Oeil-de-Perdrix Bernard Rochaix Les Perrières Peissy, Geneva
Ref: 410061

This Rosé, made from 100% Pinot Noir, is an extremely pale rose-petal strawberry-red - supposedly the same colour as the eye of a partridge, from where it takes it's name. It has light fruity aromas, and a good fruity flavour and relatively full body for a rosé. Good honeyed aftertaste. Chill to 8-9 degrees, and drink as an apéritif, or with grilled meats, veal, poultry, or spicy Asian foods.

Please note the contents of this bottle is 50cl and not 75cl. Ideal 1-person size!

Price: £5.88 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

Gamaret Fûts de Chêne 2004 50cl Bernard Rochaix Les Perrières Peissy, Geneva
Ref: 410062

Gamaret is a relatively new hybrid grape, a cross between Gamay and Reichensteiner, a white variety found in Germany. It produces immensely powerful dark red wines, with much tannin. As the hybrid was created only 15 years or so ago, all the vines in existence are young, yet are already producing wines of great quality. This oak-aged example is an intense dark red, with a powerful vanilla nose, and on the palate has great depth of flavour, being full-bodied, earthy, with a creamy vanilla edge, and well balanced oak which is evident but not overdone. A big powerful wine which should also age well.

PLEASE NOTE THE BOTTLE SIZE IS 50cl.

Price: £7.92 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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La Genevoisie 2000 Vin Blanc Mousseux Brut Chardonnay de Peissy Bernard Rochaix Les Perrières Peissy, Geneva
Ref: 4100014

Bernard Rochaix makes this very dry 100% Chardonnay-based sparkling wine at Peissy just outside Geneva, using the Methode Traditionelle production technique as used in Champagne. Medium straw, aromas of vanilla combined with exotic fruit and citrus, round, rich, full body. A very satisfying bottle.

Price: £17.00 (Including VAT at 17.5%)

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