Switzerland — wine

Valais

Switzerland's largest and most prestigious wine region, occupying the dramatic high-altitude valley of the Rhône river as it flows west through the Alps toward Lake Geneva. The Valais is a world of extremes: Europe's highest commercial vineyards (above 1,200m), intense Alpine sunshine, thin sandy-granite soils, and the protective föhn wind that enables grapes to ripen at altitude. Indigenous varieties include the nearly extinct Humagne Blanc and Rouge, Cornalin (Rouge du Pays), and Petite Arvine — all producing wines of extraordinary character found nowhere else. Fendant (Chasselas) and Dôle (Pinot Noir/Gamay) are the workhorse styles, but it is the rare indigenous varieties that define Valais's unique viticultural identity.

Year Rating Notes
2021 Exceptional vintage with ideal balance of heat and cool nights. Petite Arvine of extraordinary freshness and complexity.
2020 Warm, dry year producing full, rich wines. Cornalin and Humagne Rouge of excellent concentration.
2019 Outstanding across all categories. The indigenous varieties showed remarkable site expression.
2018 Hot summer produced powerful wines with good natural acidity from the cool altitude.
2017 Good vintage, though some frost impact in early season. Chasselas and Petite Arvine particularly successful.