Switzerland's premier wine fair gets underway early next month, and this year it will feature a special appearance from Chateauneuf du Pape, one of Cotes du Rhone's most celebrated appellations.

More than 100 producers from Valais and Switzerland's other winegrowing regions will be present at Vinea, which opens on September 3rd in Sierre city centre.

"We're delighted to be taking part in the Swiss wine fair, Vinea, one of the most important events in the Swiss wine world," commented Hortense Courteaux, head of communications for the Chateauneuf du Pape wine producers federation.

"Visitors will have a chance to sample wines from 15 producers who are some of the best in our region."

The fair, which is now in its 17th year, will also see prominent sommelier Paolo Basso give a commentary on the great wines of Ticino, a Swiss region which began producing fine wine after the introduction of Merlot in 1906.