Vin du Valais
The wines of the Valais (Wallis in German) are some of Switzerland's best.
The climate of this region is unique and varied, with the famous ski resorts of Zermatt, Verbier and Saas Fee receiving hefty precipitation, while towns like Brig, Sion, and Sierre, deep in the Rhône Valley, have hot summers and a dry terroir. This climate favours wine production and here they make the most of any canton in the country.
Although they mainly produce Pinot Noir, Chasselas, and Gamay grapes, there are a number of grape varieties and blends that are unique to the Valais.
Amigne is a historic white wine grape from the region, which was likely already introduced by the Romans. Three quarters of the world's Amigne production comes from the Valais, particularly in the town of Vétroz.
The grapes produce white wines that are citrusy and light with a nice sweetness.
Perfect for:
dessert, melons, chicken, paté, or easy drinking on a warm summer day
A wine of many names, Chasselas is known as Fendant in Valais, sometimes Gutedel in German regions, Perlan in Geneva, and Dorin in Vaud.
It is the second most planted grape variety in Switzerland after Pinot Noir, and is Switzerland’s favourite white. It is not unique to the region, but extremely popular.
It makes a light, crisp white wine, occasionally sparkling, and it’s very easy drinking.
Perfect with:
cheese, or at an Apéro
Cornalin, or Cornalin du Valais, is a red grape variety. It is a sensitive grape that requires a great deal of attention, and in the middle of the twentieth century it almost disappeared from production. Fortunately, it has been resurrected, and now stands as the centrepiece of the Valais red wines.
This is a fruity, bright red wine that mellows with age.
Perfect for:
meats and sausages, rich stews, Wild
Dôle is a blended wine made from 85% Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes. The rest is a mix of other Valais grapes, such as Syrah, Humagne Rouge, or Cornalin, which add additional structure, colour and flavour.
It varies greatly, depending on the terroir and vintner, but is usually a fine, aromatic red wine.
Perfect for:
grilled meats, dried meats, cheese
Also known as Païen, Heida is often referred to as the pearl of alpine wine and grown at high altitudes, like the St Jodern Kellerie, the highest vineyard in Europe.
It is a full bodied wine, that retains a nice freshness.
Perfect for:
special occasions, seafood, caviar, foie gras, fine cheese
Humagne Blanc was once given to mothers who had just given birth as a fortifying drink. Altohugh it has now been discredited, it was thought that the wine was extremely rich in iron.
Regardless, this ancient grape variety produces another citrusy, easy drinking Valais white wine.
Perfect for:
cheese dishes, seafood and fish, dried meats
This grape is an offspring of Cornalin and produces a wild and rustic wine. Drunk young, it retains a nice fruitiness, but it can be cellared for three to five years for maximum flavour.
It’s a wine that is full bodied and full of character.
Perfect for:
grilled meats (steak, lamb), stews, and Wild
Arvine, or Petite Arvine as it is most commonly called, is an ancient grape variety unique to the Wallis that has been traced back to 1602. It produces the best regarded white wine from the region, and is generally of an extremely high quality.
It is a delicious and fruity wine with little bitterness and a light citrusy taste.
Perfect for:
fondue and raclette, cheese, Walliserteller, fish and seafood, or any time really...
Drink Local!
Switzerland only exports about 2% of their wine, mostly to Germany, and the other 98% is consumed domestically. If you get the chance to drink Swiss wine, I promise it will not disappoint.
Santé!
For a great dessert with Walliser Wine, why not try this recipe for Sii.
Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_wine
http://www.lesvinsduvalais.ch/wine-producer/valais-wines-grape-varieties.html
https://alquimie.com.au/publication/edition-three/article/petite-arvinethe-swiss-secret
http://www.swisswine.ch/de/
http://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/wine-regions/switzerland
