The
Valais is the largest wine-producing canton (5’092 hectares). The
vineyards are characterised by the variety of their soil that allows the
cultivation of about fifty varieties of grape, some of which do not
exist anywhere else is the world: Petite Arvine, Amigne, Cornalin,
Humagne, etc. The land is highly fragmented: about 20’000 owners share
almost 110’000 plots and only 250 Valaisans own more than 2 hectares of
vine! Two thirds of the grapes are delivered to cooperatives such as
Provins-Valais and other large wineries. The wine-producers are more and
more numerous; as of today, over 600 of them produce wine from their
own vines.
Most vineyards are located between 400 and 800 m above sea level.
Nevertheless, the highest vineyard in Europe (1’000 m of altitude) is in
Visperterminen.
Respect of the environment
Thanks to the environmentally friendly cultivation of the vines, you
will come across very diverse fauna and flora during your walks: almond
trees, Iolas Blue, Woodlarks, etc.
Quality
Every year, winegrowers, wine shops or the cooperative produce about 42 million litres of wine.
Thanks to their professionalism, the winemakers achieve a perfect
match of grape varieties, soil and climate to create exceptional wines.
Grape varieties
Quality of the wine begins on the vine. Above all, it is the result of varieties of grape adapting to the land.
Chasselas, Pinot and Gamay occupy two thirds of the Valaisan
vineyards and the last third is divided in between several specialities
separated into three groups: the “indigenous” (Cornalin, Petite Arvine,
Humagne blanche), Amigne and Rèze) which are grown on 323 hectares (6%
of the vineyard), the “traditional” but imported grape varieties (Syrah,
Humagne Rouge, Johannisberg, Païen, Ermitage, Malvoisie, Muscat and
Chardonnay) which occupy 809 hectares of land (16%) and finally, the
more recent varieties which grow on 400 hectares (8%).
Cornalin, Humagne, Petite Arvine and Rèze almost disappeared,
however, in the 1980s, the awareness of the wine heritage of the area
led to several measures ensuring the diversity and authenticity of the
vineyards.
For more information, please go to: www.lesvinsduvalais.ch
You will find all our cellars that will offer tasting and purchase possible on our page: cellars and vaults.
Good tasting !