What I Learned
Valais means valley, in this case, the Rhone River valley in Switzerland. Here, steep mountains rise up from the narrow, valley floor. This wine region in the southwestern corner of the country has Switzerland’s driest and sunniest weather. Thus, it is a little wine-making paradise, and accordingly, the Valais arguably produces some of the best- known wines in Switzerland.
In the Valais, vineyards lie on the north side of the Rhone, facing primarily south, from the west in Martigny to the east around Leuk. Within this area are several varietals that are little known to the general wine-loving population outside Switzerland. These include the white varietals of L’Amigne, Humagne, and the Petite Arvine, and the red varietals of Cornalin, Diolinoir and Gamaret.
There are also white Chasselas or Gutedel grapes, the wines of which are known as Fendant, due to the splitting action of the luscious ripe white grapes in the crusher; Johannisberg aka Silvaner; and the Heida, aka Savagnin Blanc or Traminer, that are different names of better-known grape varietals grown in other parts of the world, especially the German-speaking world.
Within this area are several wines classified by authorities as Grand Cru. In Sion, these include the Fendant, the Ermitage, the Dole (a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay) and the Syrah. In Chamoson you find the Silvaner, Petite Arvine, Pinot Noir and Syrah. But one of the rarest includes the Amigne of Vetroz, uniquely flavored, produced in styles ranging from sweet to dry, and with a very limited production range.
What I Tasted
2012 Fendant, Desiree Favre, AOC Valais; Les Files de Charles Favre, Sion: A dry white wine with pale gold color. It had pronounced minerality and fruity tones.
2012 Heida Bonvin, AOC Valais, Charles Bonvin SA: A dry white wine, with pale gold color. Hints of citrus and sage, minerality and tartness also come through; medium plus acidity.
2012 Johannisberg, AOC Valais, Cave Ardevaz, Chamoson: off-dry to medium dry with a medium gold color. Slight smoky notes and a bit of green walnut, with medium acidity.
2013 Fendant, Dame de Sion, AOC Valais; Les Fils de Charles Favre, Sion: A dry white wine with pale gold color. Nose of mineral notes, with mild white stone fruit flavors; medium acidity.
2013 Petite Arvine, AOC Valais, Cave de la Madeleine (Vetroz): A medium dry white wine with medium gold color. Hints of vanilla, and stone fruit notes such as a blend of ripe apricots, peaches and honeydew melon. A slightly syrupy sweetness to it.
2016 Petite Arvine, Appellation d’Origine Controlee Valais, Caves Orsat (Martigny): A dry white wine with medium lemon gold color; green apple and slight vanilla nose, with vanilla, floral, ripe yellow peach flavors, with a hint of minerality; medium plus plus/high minus acidity.