What a day in Zürich! Art & wine at the Kunsthaus—the perfect pairing. I went with my dear friend Jocelyn from Artivino, and together we had the chance to meet the legendary Paolo Basso.
First came the fan moment: “We’re fans! Can we take a photo with you?” His warm reply: “Of course—and later, you can also come taste my wines!” How could we resist?
And so we did. We tasted his entire lineup, guided by Paolo and Hélène. Their professionalism, kindness, and generosity made it an unforgettable experience. Paolo has that rare ability to make every taster feel seen—whether novice or expert—with effortless grace and class.
Paolo added with a smile: “We’re a young winery, only 10 years old.”
Here’s the journey through the glass:
Fiore di Chiara Bianco del Ticino DOC – bright and floral white Merlot that bursts with freshness.
Le Rosé Ticino DOC Rosato di Merlot – elegant, lightly structured rosé, expressive wild strawberries.
Il Bianco di Chiara Ticino DOC Bianco di Merlot – refined and complex, gastronomic, intriguingly layered.
Bouquet di Chiara Ticino DOC Merlot – traditional and versatile, violets and cherries, wonderfully glou glou.
Il Rosso di Chiara Rosso del Ticino DOC – spicy and pyrazinic. A bold, structured blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon—“Bordeaux-style” with a Ticino twist.
Samhàin Ticino DOC Merlot – ruby-hued, dramatic old-vine Merlot with Burgundian depth, silky tannins, and lifted red fruit. A delight.
Later, Paolo shared a candid reflection:
“What worries me most about the future is the weather—even if we can predict what is coming, we can’t do anything about it.”
As the old saying goes … Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.
Thank you Paolo and Hélène—hope to visit soon in Ticino!
And that was just the beginning… this fabulous tasting showcased around 130 Swiss wineries, each presenting several cuvées. A big bravo to Swiss Wine Selection, Swiss Wine Connection and Swiss Wines for organizing such a brilliant event.
I was thrilled to reconnect with familiar faces and old colleagues! Next year I’ll make sure to attend both days, to give every winery the time and attention they deserve.
Stay tuned, more highlights from the Swiss Wine Tasting coming soon here on @WineDefenders !
