Ticino

"On the south side of the Alps, the Italian-speaking Ticino enjoys a sunny climate that is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. The northern zone, the Sopraceneri, spreads from Bellinzona to the Lake Maggiore, and the vineyards even get into the lateral valleys where they sometimes climb the alpine slopes.
The most important wine-producing districts of the Sottoceneri, in the south of the region, are Chiasso, Lugano and Mendrisio, and the vineyards of San Pietro and of Morbio.
Almost 90% of the vineyards in Ticino are planted with Merlot, which can truly be a rival to the red wines from the Bordeaux region, when it enjoys a favourable situation and is vinified by the rule book. The Merlot Bianco, an elegant white wine that is gaining in popularity, also comes from this same grape variety."

The Merlot, originally coming from the Bordeaux region, made itself at home in Ticino, where it now produces distinguished wines. The climate's mildness and the well-exposed sunny slopes offer the best conditions to produce exceptional wines.
Ticino is divided by the Monte Ceneri into two zones: the Sopraceneri in the north, where one can still see vines growing on pergolas, and the Sottoceneri in the south. Traditionally, Ticino's vineyards are scattered in small parcels, and winegrowers generally vinify their harvests together, in order to guarantee the requested quality standards.