International Wine & Culture

ProjectProject Example

SELECT TWO COUNTRIES AND EXPLORE THEIR STYLES IN WINE.

STUDENTS WILL PINPOINT THE TWO COUNTRIES THEY WILL ANALYZE

THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT AND HIGHLIGHT THEIR MAIN POINTS OF

COMPARISON.

(AT LEAST 3 SLIDES!)

Part A: Introduction to Cultural Comparison

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the top wine

consuming countries in the world

Switzerland produces more than 4

gallons of wine per person!

Vineyards have been cultivated in

Switzerland since the Roman era

Both red and white varietals are grown

in Switzerland

Switzerland(cont)

“Switzerland's particular geographical situation, in between four wine-producing nations (France, Italy, Germany and Austria), offers an extreme diversity in the characters of its wines.”

Source: http://www.swisswine.ch/english/bienv/main.asp

Five primary Swiss wine growing regions:

1. Geneva

2. Vaud

3. Valais

4. Grisons

5. Ticino

Israel

Israelis drink wine with meals and for

festive and religious occasions

All wines from Israel are not Kosher.

However, most do meet the

requirements of being Kosher.

Both red and white varietals are grown

in Israel

Israel (cont)

The top 5 Israeli wineries total 76 % of the harvest and the top 13 account for 94%.

There are 5 designated grape growing regions in Israel:

1. Galilee (or Gail)

2. Judean Hills

3. Samson

4. Samaria – largest grape growing region

5. Negev

Part A: Compare and Contrast

Switzerland Israel

Only 1% of Swiss wines

are exported!

Wine has been produced

in Switzerland since the

Roman Era

Five primary grape

growing regions

Most wines are Kosher

Wine has been produced

in Israel for centuries

Five designated grape

growing regions

Part B: Map

Create a map showing the geographical location of each selected country.

DESCRIBE THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS IN THE COUNTRIES YOU’RE

COMPARING, AND INDICATE HOW THE ENVIRONMENT HAS IMPACTED

THE GROWTH OF WINE AND ITS PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION.

WHAT ABOUT THE COUNTRY’S WEATHER OR GROWING PRACTICES

HAS AFFECTED THE WAY PEOPLE IN THIS REGION DRINK WINE?

(AT LEAST 4 SLIDES!)

Part C:Environment

Switzerland Environment

The country is located near 4 wine-producing

nations: France, Germany, Italy, and Austria.

These neighbors have a strong influence on the

types of wine grown in Switzerland

Image source: http://www.a1switzerlandhotels.com/switzerland-

map.html

Switzerland Environment

The soil types vary

from region to

region in

Switzerland.

The Ticino regions

receive more

sunlight than any

other Swiss wine

region

A portion of the

Alps mountain

range is located

within Switzerland.

Israel Environment

Israel is located in the Middle East,

near the Mediterranean Sea.

The country‟s climate can be

described as Mediterranean.

Long, hot dry summers

Short, wet winters

Snow on northern grounds

Israel Environment

The soils vary in each region.

More volcanic soils in the north, sandy

red soils on the coast, and chalk and

limestone on the hills.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR HISTORICAL FACTORS THAT HAVE IMPACTED

WINE PRODUCTION IN THE COUNTRIES YOU HAVE SELECTED? HOW

HAS HISTORY COLORED THE WINE CULTURE IN THOSE COUNTRIES

TODAY?

(AT LEAST TWO SLIDES!)

Part D: History

History: Switzerland

Vineyards have been cultivated in

Switzerland since the Roman Era

Christianity and the needs of religious

services ensured the cultivation of the

vineyards throughout the Middle Age

and long after it.

Today, Swiss winemakers are focused

on making the very best wine.

History: Israel

The production of

wine in Israel has

been traced back

to biblical times.

Today, the wines of

Israel are no longer

reserved for

traditional Jewish

culture.

Israeli wines are

now marketed to

European and

other markets as

well.

WHAT IS THE DOMINANT CULTURE SURROUNDING WINES IN THE

COUNTRIES YOU HAVE SELECTED? WHAT ARE THE

CULTURAL/SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT DEFINE WINE

CONSUMPTION AND CULTURE IN THE TWO COUNTRIES?

(AT LEAST TWO SLIDES!)

Part E: Culture

Culture: Switzerland

The country

produces over 4

gallons of wine per

capita

The Swiss drink 4

times more wine

than Americans

Wine is usually

consumed by those

18 and over

Less than 2% of

the wine produced

in Switzerland is

exported.

Culture: Switzerland (Cont)

Restaurants and bars serve wine, both on a wine list and as "open wine" (vinoaperto)

Geneva produces new varieties such as Gamaret and Garanoir

The German-speaking north and east has the Riesling-Sylvanergrape that dominates around Lake Zürich

The Swiss labels (AOC) apply the same base criteria in terms of zoning and surface/production levels, authorized grape varieties and vinification

Culture: Israel

Wine in Israel has played an important role since biblical times

Genesis 20:21 records that the first task Noah performed following the ark was planting a vineyard.

Wine is integrated into two festivals

◦ Passover

◦ Purim

Culture: Israel (Cont)

„Kiddush‟ (The

blessing of wine) is

practiced before

the Sabbath and all

festival meals

At the end of the

service, a wine

glass is broken to

signify the fall of

the Temple

Culture: Israel (cont)

Wine is not reserved for just holidays

and other celebrations in Israel, but

has found its way into daily culture as

well.

The wines of Israel are also being

exported to both New World and

European countries.

WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONAL AND TRENDY LOCAL FOODS THAT ARE

PAIRED WITH WINE IN YOUR COUNTRIES? HOW DOES THE LOCAL

FOOD IN THE COUNTRIES YOU ARE EXAMINING AFFECT WINE

CULTURE?

(AT LEAST TWO SLIDES!)

Part F: Local Food

Local Food: Switzerland

Food Wine

Fondue and

Cheese

Cuvée Madame

Rosmarie

Mathier blanche

2010 AOC

Valais

Zürich

Geschnetzeltes

Moncucchetto

Merlot 2009

Ticino DOC

Cabbage

Casserole

Chasselas

Perroy Grand

Cru 2010 La

Côte AOC

Swiss

Chocolate

Pinot Noir

Barrique 2008

AOC Valais

Food in Switzerland

is very diverse and

seasonal. Most

towns have their own

specialties which are

influenced by the

proximity of France,

Germany or Italy,

and their cuisines.

Local Food: IsraelFood Wine

Shatsberg‟s

Siniyeh

Golan Heights

Winery, Rom,

Yarden: A

blend of Syrah,

Cabernet

Sauvignon and

Merlot

Variety of

Salads

Clos de Gat,

White Dessert

Wine

Leg of Lamb Flam, Cabernet

Sauvignon,

Reserve

Chakchouka

(Shakshouka)

Lewinsohn,

Blanc, Garage

de Papa

Israeli cuisine has adopted elements of various styles of Jewish cuisine and regional Arab cuisine

Wine is commonly consumed during the Jewish holidays. It doesn‟t always have to be paired with brisket, kugel and kreplach.

WHAT CAN YOU DEDUCE ABOUT THE EFFECTS GEOGRAPHY,

ENVIRONMENT, HISTORY, CULTURE AND LOCAL FOOD HAVE UPON

WINE IN THE TOW COUNTRIES? WHAT CHARACTERISTICS SAY ABOUT

THE TWO CULTURES AS A WHOLE?

(AT LEAST FOUR SLIDES!)

Part G: Final Analysis

Final Analysis: SwitzerlandWine production in Switzerland can be traced back to the

Roman Era. Christianity and the needs of religious services ensured the cultivation of the vineyards throughout the Middle Ages and long after. Several types of wine are produced in Switzerland including Pinot Noir and the white grape varietal, Chasselas.

The wine culture of Switzerland is heavily influenced by the country‟s wine-producing neighbors: Germany, Austria, France, and Italy. The Alps mountain range has also had an effect on Swiss wine. In addition there are several different types of soil throughout Switzerland including alluvial and loess.

Due to the variety of soil types and terroir, each Swiss wine region is different. The primary wine regions are Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Grisons, and Ticino. The best known Swiss wines come from the Valais region. The national languages of French, German, Italian, and Romanche reflect the wine traditions and the types of grapes that are grown in the country.

Final Analysis: Switzerland

(Cont)Switzerland produces more than four gallons of wine per person. Only

about one percent of Swiss wine is actually exported. Swiss people drink four

times more wine than Americans do. The country has to import

approximately 45 million gallons of wine just to satisfy it‟s demand for wine.

Restaurants and bars all serve wine in Switzerland, and wine is generally

consumed by those who are 18 and over.

Like wine, the food in Switzerland is influenced by the country‟s

neighbors. Swiss cooking uses few herbs or spices and can be quite rich.

When people think of Switzerland they often think of cheeses and

chocolates. It is common for the Swiss to pair certain chocolates and

cheeses to certain wines.

Final Analysis: Israel

Wine production in Israel can be traced back to biblical times. In the

book of Genesis there is a mention of Noah planting a vineyard. During

centuries of Islamic rule, alcohol production was banned as part of

the Islamic dietary laws. Today Israeli wines are no longer reserved for

traditional Jewish culture. Israeli wines are currently being exported to

European and other markets as well.

The climate in Israel is mostly Mediterranean with volcanic soils in the

north, sandy red soils on the coast, and chalk and limestone on the hills. The

country is plagued by long, hot dry summers, and short, wet winters. There

are five designated grape growing regions in Israel. These regions are

Galilee, Judean Hills, Samson, Samaria, and Negev.

The majority of wines produced in Israel are Kosher. Red wine

varietals such as Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are just some of

the varietals grown in Israel. Several white varietals are grown in the country

as well including Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Final Analysis: Israel (cont)

Israelis drink wine with meals and for festive occasions such as

Passover and Purim. The majority of wines consumed in Israel are red

varietals. However, wine consumption in Israel is relatively low when

compared to many Western European nations. One must be at least

eighteen to drink in Israel.

Final Analysis

◦ Wine has been produced in both Israel and Switzerland for many

years. The drinking age in both countries is 18 and there are a variety of

soil types in both countries. Despite these similarities, there are several

differences between each country. Israelis typically produce Kosher

wines. They also do not drink a lot of wine. Israeli wines are being

exported to European markets as well as some others including Canada

and the United States. Switzerland produces four gallons of wine per

person and only about one percent of the country‟s wine is exported. The

wine regions in Switzerland are heavily influenced by the country‟s wine-

producing neighbors. Switzerland‟s neighbors have not only influenced

the country‟s wine, but also the food culture.

References http://wine.about.com/od/winearoundtheworld/a/israelwine.htm

http://www.wines-israel.co.il/len/

http://www.swisswine.ch/english/bienv/main.asp

http://geneva.angloinfo.com/information/lifestyle/food-and-drink/wine/

http://winevibe.com/tips-faqs/swiss-wine-facts/

http://www.biblicalproductions.com/articles_A-History-of-Israels-Wine-Culture.htm

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2011/Israeli-Wine-Pairings-Straight-from-the-Masters/

vino.com/wine/pairing/hardcheese/swiss

http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/5-great-swiss-wineshttp://winefolly.com/review/new-world-vs-old-world-wine/

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2011/Decoding-Israeli-Wine/