“What wines for tomorrow?” A vast theme which will bring together, under the leadership of the Wine Museum, on October 30 at the Sierre Town Hall, specialists in oenology and a geneticist. Among the trends that will shape the nectars of the future, Benoît Bach, who led several research studies at the Changins Engineering School (VD), will present the first wine dealcoholization center in Switzerland.
Is the old bottle destined to disappear? Delphine Niederberger, director of the Wine Museum, is not so categorical: “We are seeing on a global scale, including Switzerland, that wine consumption is decreasing. There is a demand to consume drinks with little alcohol, and even without alcohol at all. But traditional wine lovers will not all disappear.”
The fact remains that the Wine Museum, shared between Sierre and Salquenen, is intended to be a place of culture and also of scientific research contributing to deepening our knowledge of the vine. “The round table on October 30,” adds the director, “will also allow José Vouillamoz, a geneticist, to define to what extent ancient grape varieties have a role to play in the future.”
That’s not all. Ideal during the autumn holidays, the Wine Museum offers a family walk which links Sierre to Salquenen and winds six kilometers through the vineyards on the border between the two linguistic regions. The walk is dotted with 80 explanatory panels. “At the Sierre museum, visitors will appreciate our temporary thematic exhibitions. When they arrive in Salquenen, they will discover in a colorful and fun way the role of the terroirs, the secrets of cellaring and even the ways of drinking! For children, a course and a play area are available.”
As for the aid of Loterie Romande, it participates, among other things, in financing research, exhibitions and publications. “LoRo has supported us unfailingly for many years,” says Delphine Niederberger. His contribution is most precious and indispensable. We are very grateful to him.”
