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Valais

Valais

Switzerland

Switzerland wine regions

About Valais

Valais is Switzerland's largest wine region, sprawling along the upper Rhône valley between Martigny and Visp. Sheltered by 3,000-metre Alpine peaks on both sides and warmed by the Foehn wind in autumn, Valais ripens grapes at a latitude and altitude where nothing else should ripen. The region's ~4,800 hectares grow more than 50 varieties, with Pinot Noir and Chasselas (sold as Fendant) leading by volume but with rare native grapes like Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Heida and Amigne carrying the region's identity. The cantonal "Appellations communales" hierarchy gives village-specific AOCs to Sion, Sierre, Salgesch, Visperterminen, Fully, Chamoson and a dozen other communes. Producers like Gilliard, Provins, Marie-Thérèse Chappaz, Madeleine and Jean-René Germanier work some of the steepest, sunniest slopes in European wine.

Switzerland wine regions

Appellations

Regional Appellations

AOC Valais

The canton-wide regional appellation, covering reds, whites and rosés from any of Valais's wine communes. The umbrella that the commune AOCs (Sion, Sierre, Chamoson…) sit underneath.

Fendant

The traditional name for dry Chasselas from Valais, used only on this canton's labels. Light, mineral, the classic raclette wine.

Dôle

Valais's signature red blend, at least 85% Pinot Noir with the balance Gamay. Juicier than a Burgundy, the everyday Valais red.

Goron du Valais

A lighter, fresher Pinot Noir or Gamay (or blend) that doesn't meet the higher Dôle ripeness threshold. The casual Valais red, often served slightly chilled.

Œil-de-Perdrix

Pale, dry Pinot Noir rosé. Invented in Neuchâtel but produced across Romandie; Valais examples lean richer and more spiced.

Vin de Pays du Valais

The IGP tier below AOC: looser yield rules and grape choices, popular for varietal experiments and entry-level blends.

Terroir & Character

Climate

AlpineContinentalFoehn windLong ripeningHigh UV

Terroir

Glacial moraineSchistLimestoneGraniteSteep slopes

Typical Aromas

Alpine herbsSalinityCitrus zestWild cherryWhite pepperApricot

Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Valais

Pinot Noir

Blauburgunder or Blauburgunder in Valais

strawberryraspberryred cherryviolet

At least 85% Pinot Noir, blended with Gamay, the canton's everyday red

Gamay

raspberryred cherryplumcranberry

The Gamay partner to Pinot Noir in Dôle, or the full base of Goron du Valais

Syrah

blackberryblack cherryblack pepperolive

A growing presence on the warmer central Valais slopes; structured Northern-Rhône-leaning styles

Merlot

plumblackberrystrawberrybay leaf

Small share on the warmer central Valais slopes

Gewürztraminer

Traminer in Valais

lycheerosepeachapricot

A small Alpine plot on south-facing terraces

Pinot Gris

Malvoisie in Valais

lemonpeachmangobanana

A long-standing Valais speciality; often vinified late-harvest for the Flétrie style

Pinot Blanc

green applepearlemonelderflower

A modest but steady presence across Switzerland's cooler whites

Cornalin

CherryRaspberryVioletBlack Pepper

A Valais native red rescued from near-extinction in the 1970s; dark, perfumed, with wild cherry and Alpine herbs

Humagne Blanche

limelemon balmlemon thymecitrus pith

A near-extinct Valais native white with mineral structure and lemon-blossom aromatics

Humagne Rouge

red currantfresh thymeblack peppermountain herbs

A Valais native red with bright fruit and crushed-pepper character

Marsanne

Ermitage or Hermitage Blanc in Valais

peachapricotalmondhoneysuckle

Sold locally as Ermitage; rich textured whites, often late-harvest in the Flétrie style

Petite Arvine

grapefruitlimesalty mineralrhubarb

A Valais native white with saline mineral edge and grapefruit lift; produced almost nowhere else

Map data: swissBOUNDARIES3D © swisstopo · Vineyard parcels © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)