Canton (Italian: Ticino) in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland with Bellinzona as its capital. It borders on Italy and is divided into two parts, Sopraceneri and Sottoceneri. The southernmost and most scenic Swiss canton is also known as the "sunshine parlour of Switzerland" due to its many hours of sunshine. It is one of the six Swiss wine regions. After the devastation caused by phylloxera and the two types of mildew towards the end of the 19th century, many Swiss winegrowers emigrated to America (there is still an "Italian Swiss Colony" in California today).
Vineyards
The vineyards cover over 1,000 hectares of vines. As a speciality, the Misoxtal (Mesolcina) in the canton of Graubünden is also included with 50 hectares of vineyards. The climate is reminiscent of Mediterranean conditions, but there is a high level of rainfall. The best locations are between the lakes of Lago Maggiore and Lago di Lugano, as well as Bellinzona and Locarno. Well-known wine-growing communities in Ticino are Biasca, Castel San Pietro, Chiasso, Giornico, Giubiasco, Gordola, Gudo, Malvaglia, Morbio, Morcote, Rivera, Rovio, Stabio, Tenero and Verscio.
