Three Lakes Region
from mechanical marvels to beautiful vineyards
This is arguably the least-known wine region in Switzerland, certainly for foreign visitors. It is relatively small and sits in four cantons, with vineyards in pockets that sit along the shores of three lakes. The sense of disconnectedness is an illusion, for in fact the lakes of Neuchatel, Bienne (Biel in German) and Morat, known in French as Murten, are literally connected, thanks to hydraulic projects in the 19th century designed to give protection from flooding. The water level in the region had risen steadily from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. After the lakes were linked to form a single reservoir, the level of water fell by two meters. The shores of the lakes were given over to vineyards and homes.
Forests and Waterfalls
The soil here is primarily limestone, with some variation, more sand in Vully, for example. The roots of some vines in Neuchatel sit in heavier alluvial soil, in some areas marl is found—both of these linked to ancient flooding. Another common component of the area is its picturesque trails, along waterways and through forests and next to waterfalls.
Unfiltered Beauty
The area holds wonderful surprises for those who don’t know it, not least of which are some of the country’s finest wines, specialty Pinot Noirs and Chasselas from Neuchatel. Gastronomy fine wines are popular with top restaurants, produced as a result of improved plants in the past two decades, as opposed to replanting. Switzerland’s main producer of sparkling wines is here and has been in business for nearly centuries. The pale, elegant Oeil de Perdrix (literally, partridge eye) is considered one of Europe’s finest and most original rosé wines. The cloudy unfiltered Chasselas released every January is celebrated as the first wine of the new vintage. It has gained ground outside the canton as various facets of natural wines, including no filtering, become more widely accepted.
A curious fact: Neuchatel is well above the national average for organic vines, with more than 20%.
Coming soon: La Maison Carrée
