Cépages
- Blanc
- Indigène
- 218 Ha (1.49%)
Arvine
This
flagship variety, native to Valais (Switzerland) is mentioned in
records dating back to 1602 under the name Arvena, which could mean
"upstart, new arrival". This etymology is explained by the fact that it
is an orphan variety, as DNA testing has not found any relatives. Its
alleged Roman origins cannot be substantiated. Often referred to as
Petite Arvine, as opposed to Grosse Arvine which is probably one of its
offsprings, Arvine is almost exclusively grown in Valais where it
produces dry or sweet ("flétris") wines of international standard, with a
citrus aroma and refreshing acidity. Traces of it can also be found in
other Swiss cantons, as well as in Valle d'Aosta (I) and in France.
Associated names :
Petite Arvine
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 203 Ha (1.39%)
Syrah
Originating
in Isère (F) from a natural cross between Dureza from Ardèche and
Mondeuse Blanche from Savoie, Syrah gets its name from the Latin serus
(meaning late), in reference to its late ripening.
Recorded in 1781 in the Hermitage vineyard in the Rhone valley, it was
introduced from there to Valais (Switzerland) in 1921, at the Domaine de
l'Etat in Leytron. Most of the vines are still found in Valais, where
Syrah produces wines of international stature that are spicy, with a
note of blond tobacco, a silky flavour and great volume.
- Blanc
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 197 Ha (1.35%)
Sauvignon blanc
Originating
from the Loire Valley, where it is recorded under its old name Fiers in
1534 in Rabelais' "Gargantua", Sauvignon takes its name from the wild
vine with similar leaves. DNA tests reveal it to be a progeny of
Savagnin Blanc, known as Heida in Valais, a full-sibling of Chenin Blanc
in the Loire, and a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon through a natural
cross with Cabernet Franc.
In Switzerland, this very vigorous mid-season variety prone to grey
mould is grown in practically all cantons, where it gives highly acidic
wines, with a marked aroma of gooseberry and blackcurrant buds.
- Blanc
- Traditionnel (av. 1900)
- 197 Ha (1.35%)
Savagnin blanc
Originating
in the vast region covering the north-east of France and the south-east
of Germany, Savagnin Blanc is a very old variety, also known under the
name of Traminer, which has many natural offsprings, such as Sylvaner
(Johannisberg in Valais), Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Gru?ner
Veltliner, to name a few. In Switzerland, it is recorded for the first
time in 1586 in Haut Valais under the name Heida, a very old appellation
translated as Païen (pagan) in Bas Valais, in reference to ancient
times, before Christianity. Its cultivation is constantly increasing as
Heida or Païen is a highly structured wine, with notes of citrus and
exotic fruits, and great potential for ageing.
Associated names :
Paien, Heida, Traminer
- Rouge
- Traditionnel (av. 1900)
- 151 Ha (1.03%)
Cornalin
Traditionally
known as Rouge du Pays, this old variety from Valais (Switzerland) was
renamed Cornalin in 1972, borrowing the name from a Valle d'Aosta
variety. This was clearly a premonition, as DNA tests revealed it was in
fact a natural cross between two varieties from Valle d'Aosta, Petit
Rouge and Mayolet. Originally from Valle d'Aosta, it was probably
introduced into the Valais region a very long time ago via the Great St
Bernard Pass, while it has disappeared from its valley of origin. On the
edge of extinction in Valais, it was saved by a handful of enthusiasts
in the 1970s, so successfully that it has now become the symbolic red
wine grape of the Valais region, where it is exclusively grown.
Difficult in the vineyard with variable yields, Cornalin produces
colourful, fruity and juicy wines, with silky tannins and a pleasant
bitterness.
Associated names :
Rouge du Pays
- Rouge
- Traditionnel (av. 1900)
- 143 Ha (0.98%)
Humagne Rouge
With
no link to Humagne Blanc, this variety introduced to Valais
(Switzerland) in the late 19th century from Valle d'Aosta (I) has been
confused with Petit Rouge d'Aoste since the 1970s, until enzyme and
genetic testing in 1999 identified it as Cornalin d'Aoste, from which
Rouge du Pays borrowed its name in 1972. It is the product of a natural
cross which took place in Valle d'Aosta between Rouge du Pays and an
unknown variety.
In Switzerland, Humagne Rouge is grown almost exclusively in Valais,
where it produces characterful wines, with notes of dried vine leaves
and violet and a wild side.
- Rouge
- Indigène
- 130 Ha (0.89%)
Diolinoir
An
artificial cross of Robin Noir and Pinot Noir, Diolinoir was created in
1970 at the Agroscope Research Centre in Pully (Switzerland) in order
to intensify the colour of Pinot Noir. It takes its name from its
ancestors, Robin Noir being known as Rouge de Diolly in Valais.
Resistant to grey mould, it produces strong, full-bodied wines, often
used for blends.
- Blanc
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 114 Ha (0.78%)
Pinot Blanc
A
colour mutation of Pinot Noir that appeared in several places
independently, Pinot Blanc was first recorded in 1868 in Burgundy (F)
where for a long time it was confused with Chardonnay. In Switzerland,
this early variety, prone to fungal disease, was introduced in the
1970s. It gives strong wines, with moderate acidity, prized for drinking
with food.
Associated names :
Weissburgunder
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 75 Ha (0.52%)
Cabernet Franc
Although
it is one of the original varieties of the great wines of Bordeaux (F),
the ancestral origins of Cabernet Franc are in the Spanish Basque
Country. From there it expanded into Gironde, then to the Loire region,
where it has become one of the most commonly grown red grapes. DNA tests
have revealed that it is the direct genitor of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot and Carmenère.
In Switzerland, this mid-season variety, resistant to fungal disease, is
grown in particular in French-speaking Switzerland and in Ticino, where
it produces wine with an aroma of violets, high in tannins, with more
or less herbaceous notes depending on the yields.
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 67 Ha (0.46%)
Cabernet Sauvignon
A
flagship variety of Bordeaux (F), Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most
commonly grown grapes in the world. The unexpected discovery of its
heritage in 1997 was big news: it's a natural cross between Cabernet
Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, which probably took place in Gironde before
the 18th century. This makes it a half-sibling of Merlot and Carmenère.
In Switzerland, this variety prone to fungal disease is grown
essentially for making Bordeaux blends (with Cabernet Franc and Merlot),
adding notes of blackcurrants and blackberries.