By Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman
I was recently researching furniture in the Carnotzet style. I was amazed to learn that this is not known outside of the Swiss Romande area! I thought everyone knew what a carnotzet was and did a little research to find out why my search of a wooden dining table with matching wooden corner bench wasn't coming up in the search engine.
In local dialect, a carnotzet is a small room where wine is stored and enjoyed with friends. The word is more commonly used in French-speaking Switzerland, but is also used in the Haute-Savoie region.
The 1894 Exposition cantonale vaudoise d’Yverdon was were the term was first coined. It was where the event's management used to have their breaks. The panelled room was rustically furnished with wooden tables, chairs, and benches. It was a convivial space and became very popular.
Two years later, in 1896, the Exposition nationale suisse in Geneva set up a similar carnotzet. As of 1930, the spread of carnotzets throughout most Vaudois institutions such as the Conseil d'Etat, Grand Conseil, and even the Hôpital Cantonal.
Carnotzet is taken from karnótsè, a form of the regional French dialect, meaning "hut", "compartment", "hiding place", "small room" where bottles of wine are kept. The term first appeared in 1894 in the form carnotset. By the 20th century, all specialized dictionaries were mentioning it, and even in dictionaries such as Le Petit Larousse and Le Petit Robert.
Restaurant Edelweiss
The Larousse defines it as "En Suisse, local aménagé, généralement dans une cave, pour boire entre amis, jouer aux cartes, etc." This translates as: In Switzerland, a converted room, usually in a cellar, for drinking with friends, playing cards, etc. The type of food that is associated with it is fondue or raclette accompanied by viande séchée and drinking Swiss white wine out of little typically Swiss white wine glasses that look like shot glasses.
Swiss white wine glasses
This is the other particularity of Switzerland. White wine (Swiss whites of course) are usually served in these mini glasses that have no stem. I am not sure what the history of these are but typically they are printed with commemorative logos or cantonal/communal flags.
These funny little white wine glasses are usually for 8cl (a normal white wine would be served at a restaurant in a stemmed glass holding 1dl). The Alimentarium Museum's website has a dedicated page to the Swiss white wine glasses stating that these little glasses were originally used by vignerons (winemakers) to taste their wines.
Apart looking for these in flea markets and brocantes, you can buy sets of 6 white wine glasses printed with poya scherenschnitte by Swiss artists Catherine Schmidt or Angela Bruderer.
Carnotzet ambiance
The best place to get your Carnotzet ambiance in Geneva, is at the Edelweiss Restaurant Le Chalet. This restaurant will serve you up a mountain meal with an ambiance that will transport you out of the city! Typical Swiss fondues (vegan or alcohol-free on request). And Tuesday through Saturday evenings you will be entertained by a Swiss yodeller and other traditional Swiss traditions!
Fondue-making class
The Edelweiss Restaurant even offers a Fondue Class if you don't already have the know-how.
A private course is available up to 3 participants and a group course if available from 4-50 participants! So for your next party, group gathering, or entertaining visitors, then make sure to check this out!
Follow up article coming soon: All about cheese fondue.
