Valais
Valais, Alpine grapes on glacial terroir
The Valais vineyards contribute one third to total Swiss production. Over more than a hundred kilometres, they stretch along the river Rhône. Their well-exposed slopes extend continuously from the communes of Salquenen in the east to Martigny in the west.
The vineyards sometimes penetrate deeply into the side valleys, so that of Visperterminen at 1,100 metres is among the highest in Europe.The favourable climate, dry and sunny, and the diversity of soils, which vary from one plot to another, produce an astonishing wealth of unique wines in Valais from a multitude of grape varieties. Protected by the barrier of the Alps, Valais has by far the driest climate of all Swiss wine regions. The foehn, a hot wind that precipitates ripening, is also an important climatic factor. The great diversity of soils is due to geological upheavals, retreating glaciers and alluvial deposits from the Rhône and torrents from the Alps.
Valais Information
| Key info | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 4'680 ha | ||
| Distribution | 41% white, 59% red | ||
| Climate | Semi-continental with a southern character (hot and dry) | ||
| Soils | Great diversity due to the combination of geological upheavals, receding glaciers and alluvial deposits of the Rhône and the Alpine waterways |
||
| Cultivation | Terraces | ||
| Source | www.swisswinevalais.ch |
Valais Map
Valais Grapes
| Grapes (white) | Area | Share of region |
|---|---|---|
| Chasselas (Fendant) - indigenous | 769 ha | 16.4% |
| Sylvaner (Johannisberg) | 314 ha | 6.7% |
| Arvine (Petite Arvine) - indigenous | 251 ha | 5.4% |
| Savagnin Blanc (Heida, Païen) | 212 ha | 4.5% |
| Chardonnay | 68 ha | 1.5% |
| Pinot Gris (Malvoisie) | 59 ha | 1.3% |
| Humagne Blanche - indigenous | 26 ha | 0.6% |
| Grapes (red) | Area | Share of region |
|---|---|---|
| Pinot Noir | 1'304 ha | 27.9% |
| Gamay | 475 ha | 10.1% |
| Syrah | 172 ha | 3.7% |
| Cornalin (Rouge du Pays, Landroter) | 161 ha | 3.4% |
| Merlot | 145 ha | 3.1% |
| Humagne Rouge | 142 ha | 3.0% |
| Gamaret - indigenous | 103 ha | 2.2% |
| Diolinoir - indigenous | 101 ha | 2.2% |
Our selection of Valais producers
In no particular order, we have selected for you the following wineries for the quality of their wines and/or their hospitality.
| Estate | Address | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARIE-THÉRÈSE CHAPPAZ |
Chemin de Liaudise 39, 1926 Fully (VS) |
www.chappaz.ch |
|
| DOMAINE J-R GERMANIER | Route Cantonale 291, 1963 Vétroz (VS) |
www.jrgermanier.ch |
|
| DOMAINE GÉRALD BESSE | Route de la Combe 14, 1921 Martigny-Croix (VS) |
www.besse.ch |
|
| DOMAINE DES MUSES |
Le Falcon, Manege 2, 3960 Sierre (VS) |
www.domainedesmuses.ch |
|
| DENIS MERCIER |
Crêt de Goubing 42, 3960 Sierre (VS) |
www.denismercier.ch |
|
| BENOÎT DORSAZ |
Chemin du Midi 37, 1926 Fully (VS) |
www.benoit-dorsaz.ch |
|
| SIMON MAYE |
Rue de Collombey 3, 1955 Saint-Pierre-de-Clages (VS) |
www.simonmaye.ch |
|
| CAVE DES AMANDIERS |
Route des moulins 9, 1913 Saillon (VS) |
www.cavedesamandiers.ch |