Switzerland Books

this is a long overdue collection of Sophie Taeuber-Arp's works. lots of color illustrations. very nice.

The mystery of Swiss wines uncovered at last

By way of introduction to this book review I will start out with some brief comments about how I came across "The Surprising Wines of Switzerland", the background for preparing the review, and some observations about the author John Sloan.

Like John, my interest in Swiss wines developed after being transferred to Geneva as part of the international expatriate community. Unlike John, I stayed. In pursuit of my passion for fine wine, and to further develop my knowledge of Swiss wines in particular, I became a member of the Swiss wine association, the "Jeunesse Viti-vinicole de La Côte". La Côte is a Swiss wine region in the Canton of Vaud that extends some 45 km along the shores of lake Geneva (actually lac léman to give it's true name), from the border of Geneva towards Lausanne.

Being the only computer professional in this group of wine professionals, I assumed responsibility for establishing and maintaining the Internet web site for the wine association. The web site now includes a section devoted to books, magazines and other publications dealing with the subject of Swiss wine. In researching the available titles and sources of information to be included in the web site I came across this book by John Sloan. John is a Canadian diplomat who served 4 years at the Canadian Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva and is now based in Tokyo. His book, "The Surprising Wines of Switzerland", first published in 1995, is the only authoritative book on Swiss wine currently available in the English language.

Before giving my own comments on the book, let me provide some comments made by leading wine critics and journalists :

"Switzerland is producing a far wider range of wines than the casual visitor to the ski slopes might imagine.... The problem for outsiders is finding more information.... Canadian Diplomat John C. Sloan has written and published an admirably thorough ... guide, The Surprising Wines of Switzerland.... Jancis Robinson THE FINANCIAL TIMES

"The book is in no way a compliant tourist brochure. In 280 pages, he addresses the various facets of Swiss wines, from their history to their vinification processes via a description of the vineyards, the grape varieties, a selection of the best producers.... He should, by default, become an ambassador to the English speaking world." Cristian Bernet JOURNAL DE GENÈVE

"John C. Sloan describes Swiss wines in their broadest context; their history and the landscape, the science of wine making, folklore, little-known facts and tasting notes are all reported as thoroughly as those who make our wine could do. Criticism, where appropriate, is not missing. I can recommend this book with confidence." Hanns U. Christen (-sten) BASEL ZEITUNG from the German

To the above "expert" reviews I would now like to add my own personal comments. To start with I will refer back to the title of this review - "The mystery of Swiss wines uncovered at last". Why the title? Because, when reviewing other available wine books such as Sotheby's Encyclopaedia of Wine, any reference to Swiss wines is usually limited to a few lines that state something to the effect that the majority of Swiss wines are usually comprised of Chasselas, a white neutral wine, lacking in distinctive taste, rarely exported, and designed to accommodate local Swiss taste as an aperitif or to enjoy with Swiss cheese fondu. This does not exactly stimulate the informed wine connoisseur to seriously pursue the exploration of Swiss wine. However, John Sloan, through his extensive research, interviews, and visits with wine makers throughout Switzerland, has prepared the first comprehensive and authoritative work on this subject which is reflected both in the title of the book, and the accompanying sub-title "A practical guide to Switzerland's best kept secret".

What are the secrets? There are so many that only reading the book will reveal all. But just to give some insight, few people know that Switzerland is host to the highest commercial vineyards in Europe located at Vispertermin in the Canton of Valais. Here you will find wines made from the Heida and the Rèze grapes. Heida has been grown since the middle ages and there are references to this wine dating back to 1586. The Rèze is another one of the oldest and increasingly rare speciality wines of Valais. It is used as a foundation for the sherry-like "Vin des Glaciers". Then there are the wines made from the Petit Arvine, the Amigne, and the Findling grape which is a Müller-Thurgau clone found in Geneva. The wide diversity of grapes provides the reader with an abundance of opportunities to explore and enjoy some of the unique wines of this remarkable wine producing country. Even the much maligned Chasselas, which in France is enjoyed as a table grape, provides wines that are as distinctive as the wine regions that produce them. The neutrality of the grape enables the wine maker the opportunity to express the "terroir" (soil and climate) of the region, and even the vineyard, that it is grown.

I heartily recommend this book. The reader will not only discover Swiss wines, but will also learn a great deal about the Swiss wine regions, the grape varieties, wine making styles, future trends for Swiss wines and not forgetting the "Fête des Vignerons" which seems to be the world's largest and oldest wine festival. The "Fête" held every 25 years in Vevey near Montreux, has continued without break since the 1700's. The wine festival is celebrated in music, dance and parades, plus wine tastings of course, involving up to 40'000 participants seen by some 500'000 visitors over several days.

In closing I can do no better than echo the words of John Sloan from his introduction to this book. Swiss wines are generally not well known beyond the borders of Switzerland. They certainly deserve a wider, international appreciation. Wine lovers, in their never-ending search for fine wines which are novel, uncommon or singular can profitably investigate the varied offerings from Switzerland's alpine vineyards. "The Surprising Wines of Switzerland" is a welcome addition to the library of all wine enthusiasts.

philipweights@yahoo.com Geneva April 3, 2000

On the most interesting, but not well researched, topic of artistic reaction to Switzerland --- this volume is a beautifully printed and illustrated masterpiece. To 19th century Europeans, Switzerland appeared to be either a pastoral paradise of gentle meadows and sleepy mountain hamlets --- or a terrifying country of nightmarish mountainous regions, given nicknames ('Via Mala') which echoed the dread that the reputations of these areas evoked. Artists at all levels of capability, from amateurs to the likes or Ruskin, and above all, Turner --- responded accordingly. The visual arts represented Switzerland with no middle ground -- paradise or alpine purgatory. Truly fascinating subject and superbly presented.

This book is the first serious study of this genre. The authors have put together a bonanza of information including not only serious academic research but the most amazing photos. Bears on skis, majestic eagles, faithful hounds, and amazing sculpture, leap out of the pages...The authors point out that this whole ouvre has long been ignored and needs to be re-classified for what it really is, a serious, 19th/early 20th century art form. The chapter on international exhibitions, for example, puts a completely different perspective on Black Forest. The book is thoroughly readable and also refreshingly unpretentious.

This wonderful book has thankfully been saved from obscurity and repinted. It is a treasure trove of Chalet architectual detailing. Craftsman's art that has long since died out, it has many pictures showing how the construction was done. Floor plans large and small you could build from today. They also delve into how this vernacular developed over time. Explains the rocks on the roof and the purpose of the wedged shaped eves (avalanche protection). If you have a Chalet project or a curiosity about how these were made, this is the book for you.

Our entire family devoured this book together - the beautiful interactions of the brother and sister in this book, the correctness of the mountaineering technique, the edge of the seat adventure in such healthy relationships was all so refreshing and delightful. We're off to Iceland now in the next book in the series!

There are a number of the world's hot spots today that would greatly benefit from a national security policy based on what you will find in this volume. Also, the U.S.A. would do well to consider the comprehensive plan, including an integrated civil defense program that would protect her citizens during both terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Because the study of comparative politics so accurately demonstrates that developing a national security strategy - like thinking, (ideas, do have their consequences) - is not a skill that can be separated from substance and content, I feel there is no other discipline more important for the formulation of national and foreign policy as well as curriculum policy for U.S. universities than this one. Swiss Neutrality and Security: Armed Forces, National Defense and Foreign policy is one of the primary references I used as Senior Counsel to the Afghanistan National Police, Directorate of Intelligence in 2006.

* What united the cities and regions of Switzerland was neither force nor mere self-interest but, above all, an idea: namely that alliance partners could support autonomy and protect independence. Liberty and mutual assistance became the essence of the Swiss ideal. P 97

This impressive work could, and should change what goes on in our nation's foreign affairs. It makes the critical point that a confederation is efficacious only when it affects others with positive change for all concerned, and not just the special few. This is not to advocate a U.S. national security policy of isolationism. That is not the point at all. But we do have much to learn from the seven hundred year old Swiss success story and that is that a comprehensive, military, civil, and economic response to foreseeable threats is a better policy, especially for areas such as the Middle East, and Africa, among others.

* As the French revolutionary forces invaded Switzerland in 1798 against little more than symbolic resistance, the Swiss learned that neutrality without credible and effective defense was not worth its name... henceforth the armed forces would only be `her first and most powerful instrument' and that more fibers of the complex texture on modern society had to be organized for an integrated defense effort...In addition to the regular armed forces, civil defense was proclaimed the second pillar of general defense. All sectors of civil life, especially the economy, were upgraded in their importance for general defense... the new concept of `general defense' did not mean diluting the armed forces with elements from civil sectors. Pp 208-209
* Dissuasion is the core concept of Swiss security policy, but it works only if Swiss armed forces are perceived as able and willing to fight in a war, if necessary... The projection of an adequate image through `dissuasive communication' is therefore of equal importance as a realistic threat analysis and modern equipment...The Swiss system of general or comprehensive defense has assured Switzerland a modern and diversified defense in combination with a far-reaching network of civil defense installations that enable the country to react quickly and efficiently also in catastrophes other than war. P 212

With compelling evidence and argument, the various individual contributions within this book explain what works in a multi-cultural environment and why so many areas under conflict today would do well in their development by considering the Swiss doctrine. Unfortunately, the U.S. has a dismal record of nation building. Most third world and failed sates counseled by the U.S. lag increasingly behind modern industrialized ones and are becoming dangerously discouraged as the gap widens.

* In earlier times the classical boundary between peace and war was crossed only by a formal declaration of war, such a clear borderline no longer exists. Subversion, terrorism, psychological warfare, disinformation, as well as economic and political blackmail and other forms of indirect warfare, aim at eroding the basis of existing order and the overthrow of legal governments. The traditional battlefield may be only the last stage of fighting... defined and integrated functions of civil defense, national supply, information and psychological defense... harmonized the civilian and military interests in the fields of communication, medical services, logistics and transportation. Security policy today comprises a comprehensive and integrated system of alerting, defending and protecting the Swiss population and ensuring its survival. P 214

It's probably too late to have any hope that today's politicians and military personnel could understand the realities of the concept of the superiority of an ideal. However, there also can't be very many scholars who - having influence over tomorrow's leaders - could argue successfully that this compilation isn't applicable to the conflicts the U.S. will likely face in the future.

* Democracy is more than a mechanism, it is a state of mind, stamped with the seal of liberty...it is neutrality which held together for centuries peoples of different race, language and religion. It is by the scrupulous observation of this principle that the Swiss cantons have been able to develop a spirit of mutual understanding based on the mutual respect of their personalities...solidarity, daughter of independence, should now join neutrality... the country has now become sufficiently cohesive, and neutrality is no longer necessary to forestall disintegration. Pp 184-185

This travel brochure offers up photos and captions describing 46 different locations in Switzerland. Each of the views is stunning in its beauty, the mountains, valleys and villages seem to exude an aura of welcoming. The captions describing the scenes are written in English, German, French and Chinese. In these photos, you can see both the ancient heritage and the modern structure of this model country. After looking through this book, you will have a strong urge to visit Switzerland.

It's a really productive study of Switzerland. A highly graphically developed book, but also in terms of the text, explanations and in terms of chronological terms about history of Switzerland. A unic set of books to understand Switzerland in aspects of: History, culural and linguistic diversity, bringing all this together in terms of an Urban Portrait.

The calendar is very well done, in my opinion. The images are beautiful and show a variety of Swiss landscapes, not just mountains. The lake, river, and city shots display a larger panorama of what Switzerland is really like without detracting from the expectations of the country. I also appreciate that there is no picture of the Matterhorn this year, as there has been for the last two or three years. Yes, the Matterhorn makes a nice still shot, there are other mountains like the Jungfrau or Gemstock that could be highlighted. The 2006 calendar is very well balanced and is a great buy for anyone interested in Switzerland or a variety of scenes on their calendars.