Wine region
Ticino wines
The kingdom of Merlot, between southern lakes and mountains
On Helvitic you buy Ticino wines directly from the cellars that make them: every bottle is sold by the winemaker, delivered to your door (free shipping from CHF 150 per cellar) or picked up at the cellar, with no reseller.
South of the Alps, Ticino is the kingdom of Merlot: introduced in the early 20th century after the phylloxera crisis, it now dominates the canton's plantings by a wide margin, under the Ticino DOC appellation. From the granitic Sopraceneri to the milder Sottoceneri, it yields fleshy, sun-filled reds — and a surprising local speciality, Merlot vinified as a white.
Emblematic grapes
- Merlot
- Bondola
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Appellations
- Ticino DOC
- Rosso del Ticino DOC
- Bianco del Ticino DOC
Frequently asked questions — Ticino wines
Why does Merlot dominate in Ticino?
After phylloxera destroyed the vineyard, the canton replanted in the early 20th century with Bordeaux's Merlot, perfectly suited to the mild, sunny climate south of the Alps. More than a century later it remains overwhelmingly dominant and defines the identity of Ticino wines.
What is white Merlot (bianco di merlot)?
A Ticino speciality: Merlot pressed directly, without skin maceration, yielding a dry, fresh white wine from a red grape. A curiosity that has become an apéritif classic south of the Alps.
What is the difference between Sopraceneri and Sottoceneri?
The two parts of the Ticino vineyard, separated by Monte Ceneri: to the north, the granitic soils of the Sopraceneri give livelier, more tense Merlots; to the south, the more calcareous Sottoceneri produces fuller, fleshier wines.