The Cabernets, a breath of Bordeaux in the heart of the Alps
Syrah, the birth of a passion
Syrah is king among grapes in the Côte du Rhône in France, producing the prestigious wines of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage. Since 1921 it has also had a place in Valais. It was brought in as part of the collection of grapes belonging to agricultural engineer Henry Wuilloud in Diolly, near Sion. He is also the director of the cantonal vineyard, Domaine de l’Etat, in Leytron, at the time.
Humagne Rouge, offspring of Cornalin from Valais
Humagne Blanc, a potion for childbirth
Lafnetscha and Himbertscha, surprising grapes from Upper Valais
Here are two Upper Valais specialty grapes whose names have a rhythmic pairing, as do their family backgrounds. Lafnetscha is a rarely-found grape mentioned for the first time in the “Gazette du Valais” in 1856, with the name Lafnetschen Blanc: “Rarogne, where they sing the praises of Saint Germain and Lafnetscha White.”
Muscat, a taste of the Mediterranean
The name Muscat doesn’t refer to a single grape variety but rather to a group scattered around the Mediterranean (Moscoto in Italian, Muskateller in German). They share the same aroma: muscaté in French. Their birthplace was supposedly Greece, but recent research shows that these Muscat grapes are not necessarily genetically linked.
Malvoisie, Pinot Gris: sweet origins
Amigne, first mentioned in the 17th century
Heida, aka Païen, Upper Valais’s Vin Jaune
Rèze, wine of the Romans and Vin du Glacier
Marsanne – Ermitage in Valais
Johannisberg, between Riesling and Sylvaner
Pinot Noir, the red that is everywhere
Fendant, the emblem of a time and place
Cornalin, the grape that was rediscovered
The old Rouge du pays was the first coloured Valais wine. It was the drink of farmers, considered to have medicinal properties, but it disappeared when modern grape varieties arrived on the scene. Its first mention dates back to 1313. It was very much present throughout Valais until the start of the 20th century, and was well known for its restorative properties.