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Valais - Geography
The great diversity of soils in Valais is due to the combination of geological upheavals, receding glaciers and alluvial deposits of the Rhône and the Alps' torrents. The Fendant, Valais' best-known white wine coming from the Chasselas grape, acquires very different nuances depending on the composition of soils on which the gapes grew.
Martigny - Fully: (granite)
The granite soils of Martigny and Fully, hardly or not at all calcareous,
are ideally suited for Gamay.
Chamoson: (alluvial)
Created by torrents carrying earth, silt and minerals from the mountains,
the alluvial soil of Chamoson and Leytron provide the optimum base for
the cultivation of the Sylvaner grape (Johannisberg wine).
Saillon: (gravel)
In some vineyards, between Saillon and Ardon, generations of winegrowers
have covered the soil with up to 15 cm (6 in.) of gravel in order to hold
the heat and minimise evaporation.
Sion: (schist)
In the Sion area one finds soils compose largely of schist, the rocks
of which resemble millefeuille pastry.
Sierre: (limestone)
While limestone is present everywhere in central Valais, it is particularly
dominant at Sierre (Siders) and Loèche (Leuk).
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