La Cave de Genève is one of the biggest producers of fine wines in Geneva, Switzerland and their wines just recently touched down in Hong Kong thanks to the local importer Finessa. TWG was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to a private wine dinner featuring five Swiss wines from Cave de Genève, the winemaker Martin Wiederkehr, and some good company. Not knowing what to expect we were taken through what it is that goes into producing a bottle of wine the Swiss way.

For Martin Wiederkehr, the wines from the Cave de Genève must have a strong sense of terroir and Swiss sensibility. Their wines are very precise, built to have the perfect balance of sweet fruit and acidity to keep the wines interesting. For some wine types French oak barrels are used to impart vanilla/smoke flavours to give the wine an additional dimension, but this is always done subtly, so as not to mask the wine's original flavours.

The most striking aspect of the wines we tried was that although Geneva is a cool climate area, none of the wines were as crisp as we had expected. There was enough fruit in each, and all were very nicely balanced and went perfectly with the food. This being Hong Kong, the wines from the Cave de Genève portfolio were uniquely suited for pairing with Asian foods. The Sauvignon Blanc in particular seemed like it would be right at home on a Chinese dining table.

The most surprising wine of the evening was the Philippe Chevrier Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, which was the result of a collaberation between Cave de Genève and the Swiss Michelin Starred chef, Philippe Chevrier. This predominantly Merlot based wine was a like a well dressed Olympic bodybuilder. Massive, muscular, powerful, but very refined and not overwhelming like an Aussie or Cali red, the Philippe Chevrier was absolutely delish. It was hard to believe it came from Geneva, as a red that strong usually could only be produced in warmer climates but Martin and his team managed to pull it off. If you can find a bottle, buy a few because we think this one will age magnificantly.

Hong Kong Importer: finessa

L'Aiglette Sauvignon Blanc 2009
A solid white wine, opening with a strong herbal/grassy nose, evolving into a very floral, lychee asian character. Crisp, refined, decidedly Sauvignon Blanc in taste but not overly acidic.

L'Imperatrice Pinot Blanc 2009
Floral, fresh, crisp. The wine was very young and has a touch of carbonation from the fermentation still in the bottle, like a Vinho Verde.

Le Penseur Pinot Noir 2009
Smooth and light, full of strawberries with just the right amount of acidity to keep it fresh.

Philippe Chevrier Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in French barrels for 18 months. At 14% alcohol this wine was just crammed with fruit, smoke and leather. Very massive but not overpowering. Fantastic now but will age nicely.