Cépages
- Rouge
- Traditionnel (av. 1900)
- 5 Ha (0.03%)
Mondeuse Noire
An
old variety from Savoie (F), Mondeuse Noire takes its name from
Maldoux, in reference to its high natural acidity. DNA tests have
revealed a parent-offspring link to Mondeuse Blanche, which means
Mondeuse is related to Syrah, and explains why it is often called Grosse
Syrah.
In Switzerland, Mondeuse Noire was widespread before the 19th century in
the Lemanic Arc and in Valais under the name of Gros Rouge. This
vigorous variety is prone to disease, but has recently been the subject
of renewed interest, producing spicy wines with a marked tannin flavour.
Associated names :
Grosse Syrah
- Blanc
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 4 Ha (0.03%)
Auxerrois
A
variety from Alsace-Lorraine (F), Auxerrois should not be confused with
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or Chardonnay, which were also referred to as
Auxerrois at one point, probably in reference to Auxois, the old name
for Alsace. DNA tests have shown that it is the natural descendant of
Pinot and Gouais Blanc, and thus a full-sibling of Chardonnay, Gamay,
Aligoté and other minor varieties.
In Switzerland, Auxerrois is now rarely grown, but it may be similar to
the (H)Aussard or Ausserres variety which was very common in the 18th
and 19th centuries in the cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud. The wine has a
relatively neutral flavour, with low acidity levels.
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 4 Ha (0.03%)
Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch
is one of many offsprings of Gouais Blanc, an old variety that was once
grown throughout Europe. Now very widely cultivated in Austria, the
historical distribution of Blaufränkisch includes Germany (under the
name Limberger), Hungary (Kekfrankos) and Croatia (Borgonja), so its
place of origin is likely to be at the crossroads of these regions.
Sporadically present in Switzerland, this late-ripening variety prone to
fungal disease produces structured wines with intense colours and
sustained acidity.
Associated names :
Limberger, Kékfrankos
- Blanc
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 4 Ha (0.03%)
Roussanne
Originating
in the Rhone valley, Roussanne was mentioned in 1781 in a text on the
wines of Hermitage. Its name refers to the red colour of the ripe
grapes. DNA tests suggest that Roussanne is either a parent or an
offspring of Marsanne.
Ripening in mid-season, Roussanne is sensitive to wind, powdery mildew,
grey mould and dust mites.
In Switzerland, Roussanne is considerably less widespread than Marsanne,
perhaps wrongly so when we consider the aromatic qualities and the high
acidity levels of this variety, conferring a good longevity on the
wines.
- Rouge
- Indigène
- 3 Ha (0.02%)
Muscat Bleu
A
hybrid of Garnier 15-6 and Perle Noire, Muscat Bleu was created around
1930 at Peissy in the canton of Geneva (Switzerland). This early variety
is appreciated by organic wine producers due to its high resistance to
disease and its musky aroma. An amateur variety, grown for the table or
the cellar and producing delicate, fruity wines, it is not common in
Swiss winemaking.
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 3 Ha (0.02%)
Cabernet Mitos
- Blanc
- Indigène
- 3 Ha (0.02%)
Rèze
Originating
from Valais (Switzerland), Rèze is one of the oldest varieties of the
Alpine region. With records dating back to Valais in 1313, its name
comes from the Regis family, very common in Valais in the Middle Ages,
rather than the hypothetical Raetica of the authors of the Roman period.
Through DNA testing, we have discovered a few sparse stocks of it in
Maurienne (Savoie, F) and in French Jura, and several of its offsprings
have been identified in Valais, Piedmont (I) and Trentino (I).
Once a dominant variety in Valais, today there are only a few vines
remaining of this unproductive variety which is prone to mould,
producing floral wines with a distinct acidity. Rèze is the main variety
for making the traditional Vin du Glacier in Val d'Anniviers.
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 3 Ha (0.02%)
Chambourcin
An
inter-species hybrid of Seyve-Villard 12-417 and Chancellor created in
1945 by Joannes Seyve in France, it was named after the village of
Chambourcin in Isère (F) and first sold in 1963. Resistant to cold and
fungal disease, it can be planted in humid conditions. It produces
highly aromatic wines. It has a very minor presence in Switzerland,
mostly in Ticino.