New UNESCO World Heritage Site: Lavaux Vineyards
Edited by Jennifer L. Price
 The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, a committee devoted to
identifying, protecting, and preserving heritage sites around the world,
recently named the Lavaux Vineyards, on the shore of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), in the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland a
registered World Heritage site.
Lavaux, heart of the Lake Geneva Region, or canton of Vaud,
is approximately five hundred years old. While not the largest producer in the
area, Lavaux is by far the best-known. Distinguished by its light, crisp white
wines as much as for the picturesque landscape, the region is characterized by
steeply terraced vineyards dotted with medieval villages and panoramic views
across the lake to the French Alps.
Lavaux produces world renowned wines such as Epesses,
Dézaley, Lutry, Villette, Chardonne and Montreux-Vevey, many of which are found
in some of the best restaurants in the U.S. Chasselas is the predominant grape.
The terraced growing conditions in Lavaux are distinguished by the "three suns";
the light refracted and warmed by the sky; the lake; and reflected light off the
pudding stone walls.
 On September 22, 2006 the Association for the Registration
of Lavaux, the local committee that worked on the bid for the UNESCO
registration, will celebrate the prestigious designation with a special Lavaux
Festival, a celebration of the region's traditional Vaudoise wine and food
organized around the theme of "5 Senses, 5 Appellations." The Festival will take
place in villages throughout the Lavaux region. For more information, go to
www.lavauxenfete.ch.
The Lavaux villages and vineyards date back to the Romans
who first planted grape vines in the area. The vineyards of Dézaley still bear
the stone foundations that were laid out in the Middle Ages by the Monks of
Montheron. Lausanne, Montreux and Vevey are the gateway cities where some of
Switzerland's grand palace hotels still reign among the world's most luxurious
accommodations. A wide range of affordable hotels throughout the region offer
remarkable value, while retaining all of the traditional hallmarks of Swiss
quality, including a hearty breakfast and a warm goose down duvet.
The region is the leading producer of exceptional artisan
cheeses and one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-star restaurants in
Europe. It is no surprise that the Lake Geneva Region has attracted a long list
of celebrated authors, artists and composers, including Lord Byron, Nabokov,
Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin, Isadora Duncan, Noel Coward, Audrey Hepburn and
countless others. |
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