Cépages
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 21 Ha (0.14%)
Malbec
Cot, originating from the Cahors region (F) and taking its name from a contraction of Cahors, became widespread in Argentina from the late 19th century under the name of its propagator, a winegrower called Malbeck. DNA tests have revealed that it's a natural cross between Prunelard (from Tarn) and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, an old variety that has almost disappeared and is also the ancestor of Merlot. Malbec and Merlot are therefore half-siblings.
In Switzerland, this variety which is prone to coulure gives a spicy touch to blends.
Associated names :
Cot
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 21 Ha (0.14%)
Dornfelder
An artificial cross of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe, Dornfelder was created in 1956 at the Weinsberg Research Centre in Baden-Württemberg (D), and named after one of the founders of the centre.
Productive and resistant to grey mould, with a rich colour, in Switzerland Dornfelder is used mainly for blends.
- Rouge
- Indigène
- 19 Ha (0.13%)
Bondola
Previously the most widely grown variety in Ticino (Switzerland) where there are records of it dating back to 1785, Bondola was rapidly supplanted by the Merlot introduced in 1906 after the phylloxera crisis. DNA tests have shown that Bondola and Briegler in German-speaking Switzerland are identical. A variety with rustic tannins and distinct acidity, it is now only grown in Ticino, particularly in Sopraceneri, where it produces wines that are fruity and crisp with an Alpine character.
Associated names :
Briegler
- Rouge
- Allogène (après 1900)
- 18 Ha (0.13%)
Dakapo
An artificial cross of Deckrot and Blauer Portugieser created in 1972 at the Geisenheim Research Centre in Rheingau (D), Dakapo was first released in 1999. A teinturier variety with red skin, used mainly for blends, hence its name which comes from the Italian "da capo" meaning "encore" in music, in reference to its role in improving blends. Early grape that is resistant to cold, it is grown in cooler terroirs.
It does not have a strong presence in Switzerland.
- Rouge
- Indigène
- 14 Ha (0.09%)
Mara
An artificial cross of Gamay and Reichensteiner, Mara was created in 1970 at the Agroscope Research Centre in Pully (Switzerland) to obtain a variety that was similar to Gamay, but more resistant with a richer colour. First officially sold in 2009, it is related to Gamaret and Garanoir. With its imaginative name, Mara is early and highly resistant to grey mould. Grown exclusively in Switzerland, its wines are colourful, fruity, spicy and are often used for blends.
Associated names :
(RAC 3022, C41)
- Rouge
- Indigène
- 11 Ha (0.08%)
Carminoir
An artificial cross of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, Carminoir was created in 1982 at the Agroscope Research Centre in Pully (Switzerland) with the goal of obtaining a richer variety than Pinot Noir, which was resistant to grey mould. A late-ripening variety, Carminoir is not common in Switzerland, limited to the hottest regions of Valais and Ticino, where it gives wines that are colourful, strong and rich in tannins, used for blends or as a single variety.
- Blanc
- Indigène
- 10 Ha (0.07%)
Charmont
An artificial cross of Chasselas and Chardonnay created in 1965 at the Agroscope Research Centre in Pully (Switzerland), Charmont was developed in order to obtain a variety that was more aromatic and sugary than Chasselas.
A productive and early variety, prone to grey mould, Charmont yields simple and aromatic wines, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland.
- Rouge
- Traditionnel (av. 1900)
- 9 Ha (0.06%)
Plant Robert
DNA tests have confirmed that Plant Robert is just a biotype of Gamay, more concentrated and spicy, that has survived locally in the canton of Vaud. Its name may come from the old French "rober", meaning "to rob", which could give an indication of the variety's origin; Plant Robert may indeed have been "robbed" from a cart travelling from Dôle to the canton of Vaud, in the early 19th century.
Saved from extinction in the 1960s, Plant Robert has been protected by an association of winegrowers in Lavaux since 2007.
Associated names :
Plant Robez, Plant Robaz