Cigalon has all of Switzerland in its sights
At Cigalon, Corinne Bessire has made her choice: her wine list will now feature exclusively Swiss wines. This decision builds on a longstanding commitment. For the past twenty years or so, Swiss wines have already held a prominent place on the list, alongside a few French selections. After a year of consideration, the restaurant owner has now decided to dedicate her entire wine list to Swiss wines.
French-speaking Switzerland and beyond
“Let’s make room for our vineyards,” she sums up. Behind this approach lies, first and foremost, a deep attachment to Swiss wines, the pleasure of tasting them, talking about them, and meeting the people who produce them. Added to this is a desire to support the country’s wine industry during these difficult times. Her selection thus extends well beyond French-speaking Switzerland, driven by a desire to showcase the full diversity of Swiss vineyards.
The issue of pricing also played a role. Faced with skyrocketing prices for certain Burgundy and Champagne wines, Corinne Bessire wants to maintain a balance between a bottle’s quality and its price at the table—a balance she finds in Swiss wines.
The challenge is to adapt to customers’ preferences. When a customer came in looking for a Burgundy, she recently suggested a Neuchâtel Chardonnay from Maison Carrée. Though initially surprised that his favorite appellation wasn’t available, he was eventually won over. The idea isn’t to compare terroirs, but to start with each person’s preferences—a grape variety, a texture, a preference for oaked or unoaked wine—and then open another door.
At Le Cigalon, advice plays a vital role: many guests rely on Corinne Bessire and her colleague. This trust is what gives her approach its true strength. A wine list can also be a commitment, carried out every day through service—one conversation and one glass at a time.
