Valais

Valais - ©Olivier Maire

Alpine terroir and indigenous grapes

The spectacular, often terraced, vineyards of Switzerland's largest wine region stretch along the upper course of the Rhone. Set in the heart of the Alps, this valley carved out by the retreat of glaciers 20,000 years ago enjoys a particularly dry (650 millimetres of rain per year) and sunny (2,500 hours per year) climate. Reinforced by strong and hot foehn winds, this microclimate particularly favours the maturation of late-ripening grape varieties found in the region. It also allows the cultivation of vines at altitudes much higher than in other regions of the country, for example in Visperterminen, at an altitude of 1,100 metres above sea level. Picturesque and endearing Valais – and the same is true of its wines – never leaves visitors indifferent.

Regional grape varieties include Petite Arvine with its citrus or wisteria aromas, its liveliness and its saline notes on the finish. Cornalin stands out among the red grapes with its beautiful expressions, as velvety as they are fruity. These are just a few examples of the many grape varieties grown on these terraces in the heart of the Alps.

Distribution of grape varieties

These graphs present some key figures for Valais wines.

Surface CH

55

Grape varieties

390

Producers

59%

Red surface

(2746 HA)

41%

White surface

(1909 HA)

A

B

C

D

E

F

A
28%

Pinot Noir, 1302 HA

B
16%

Chasselas, 768 HA

C
10%

Gamay, 474 HA

D
7%

Silvaner, 314 HA

E
5%

Petite Arvine, 252 HA

F
33%

Others, 1545 HA

Sub-regions

The Valais region has one AOC and 10 AOC Grand Crus. AOC Valais AOC Visperterminen Grand Cru AOC Saillon Grand Cru AOC Leytron Grand Cru AOC Chamoson Grand Cru AOC Vétroz Grand Cru AOC Conthey Grand Cru AOC Ville de Sion Grand Cru AOC Saint-Léonard Grand Cru AOC Sierre Grand Cru AOC Salquenen Grand Cru

Switzerland. Naturally.