Cépages

  • Blanc
  • Indigène
  • < 2 Ha

Lafnetscha

With records of it dating back to 1627 in Haut Valais (Switzerland), Lafnetscha comes from a natural cross between Humagne Blanche from Valais and Completer from Graubünden, which means it is a half-sibling of Himbertscha. The name may come from Laff-nit-scha, a dialect form of "laff es nicht schon" (meaning don't drink it too soon), in reference to its high acidity. Grown exclusively in Haut Valais, this local mid-season rarity produces dry wines, with sustained acidity and notes of apple and elderberry.
  • Rouge
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Rondo

A hybrid of Zarya Severa and Sankt Laurent created in 1964 at the Geisenheim Research Centre (D), Rondo is a very early variety resistant to mildew, although less so to powdery mildew. This red-skinned interspecific hybrid is used to improve the colour of blends. Its presence in German-speaking Switzerland is minimal.
  • Rouge
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Sangiovese

The most widely cultivated red grape variety in Italy, there are records of Sangiovese dating back to 1600 in Tuscany. Its name may derive from the blood of Jupiter (sanguis Jovis). DNA has revealed that it's a natural cross between Ciliegiolo, an old variety of Chianti, and Calabrese di Montenuovo, a rare variety from Calabria. Sangiovese is thus Tuscan-Calabrian. In Switzerland, there are only a few traces left of this very late-ripening variety which is highly resistant to dryness. Its wines are high in tannins and acidity, getting better with age.
Associated names : 
Montepulciano
  • Blanc
  • Traditionnel (av. 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Sylvaner

Originally from Austria, Sylvaner is a natural cross between Savagnin (Heida in Valais) and Österreichisch Weiß, an old Austrian variety. Its name comes from the Latin silva (meaning forest), indicating a supposedly wild origin. In Switzerland, it is grown particularly in Valais where it is known as Johannisberg in reference to a famous winegrowing domain of Rheingau (D). Its wines offer aromas of hazelnut and mild acidity.
Associated names : 
Johannisberg, Gros Rhin
  • Blanc
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Vermentino

Vermentino originates in the vast geographic region between Corsica, Sardinia, Tuscany, Piedmont (where it is known as Favorita) and Liguria (known as Pigato). It takes its name from the Italian fermento, in reference to the sparkling character of its young wines. In Switzerland, this variety, sensitive to spring frosts and mildew, produces fruity, aromatic wines, but it is hardly grown at all.
Associated names : 
Favorita, Pigato, Rolle