The best wines of Valais

Discover the best wines of Valais as well as the best winemakers of Valais and estates of Valais to visit. Explore the popular grape varieties of Valais and the best vintages to taste in this region.

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Top wines of Valais by region

Looking for a good wine of Valais among the top wines in the region? Check out our tops of the best red, white or effervescent wines of Valais. Also find some food and wine pairings that may be appropriate with these exceptional wines. Learn more about the region and the wines of Valais with technical and enological descriptions.

Great red wines of Valais

See the top 100 best red wines of Valais

Want to buy a red wine of Valais cheap or sell a red wine of Valais at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a red wine of Valais

Red wines from the region of Valais go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or veal such as recipes of beef bourguignon with cookéo, tajine of mutton or veal tagine with carrots.

Organoleptic analysis of red wine of Valais

On the nose the red wine of the region of Valais. often reveals types of flavors of oak, microbio or vanilla and sometimes also flavors of strawberries, tropical fruit or dried fruit. In the mouth the red wine of the region of Valais. is a powerful with a nice freshness.

The best vintages in red wine of Valais

  • 2019With an average score of 4.44/5
  • 2018With an average score of 4.43/5
  • 2015With an average score of 4.38/5
  • 2016With an average score of 4.37/5
  • 2008With an average score of 4.37/5
  • 2017With an average score of 4.34/5

The most used grape varieties in red wine of Valais

  • Cornalin
  • Shiraz/Syrah
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Diolinoir

The best wineries and winemakers for red wine of Valais

A wine route planned in the region of Valais? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best red wine of Valais.

Discovering the wine region of Valais

The Valais is the largest wine region and appellation in Switzerland, responsible for around one third of the country's total wine production. The main Vineyard area covers the southeast-facing slopes of the dramatic Rhône river valley as the glacial waters run southwest between Leuk (Loeche in French) and Fully. The river changes direction at Martigny and then runs northwest to exit the valley and empty into Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Vineyard area here comes to around 4,800 hectares (11,800 acres) and is generally located on (often steep) slopes and terraces between the flat, fertile, Heavy soils at the bottom of the valley - often given over to fruit production, industry and urban development - and the bare rock of the mountainside that towers above.

The Valais Terroir is one of the world's most dramatic. The valley benefits from its sheltered position below the high alpine peaks, with the most obvious bonus being the fohn wind, which keeps the area unusually Warm and Dry considering its altitude (most vines grow here at between 460 and 760m - 1500-2500ft). The fohn effect is also enjoyed by Ticino, although there, mountain weather systems bring sporadic, heavy rainfall. Vertiginous alpine topography also gives the vines in Valais the advantage of emphasized vineyard orientation and many are planted on steep gradients of up to 90% (42 degrees).

This steepness, although making it markedly harder to manage and harvest the vines, brings the significant benefits of excellent drainage and increased exposure to sunlight. Production is centered around the towns and villages that run aLong the 50km (30 mile) section of the valley from Martigny in the southwest to Leuk, northeast. It is not unusual to see labels mention both variety and town, such as "Amigne de Vétroz" or "Fendant de Sion". This commune-based labelling convention is a reasonably widespread Swiss quirk as most appellations in the country follow broad, cantonal boundaries yet allow the name of the commune (sometimes even cadastral names and "lieu-dits") on the label.

Great white wines of Valais

See the top 100 best white wines of Valais

Want to buy a white wine of Valais cheap or sell a white wine of Valais at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a white wine of Valais

White wines from the region of Valais go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or shellfish such as recipes of pork chops with mustard, vitello tonnato or fish fondue.

Organoleptic analysis of white wine of Valais

On the nose the white wine of the region of Valais. often reveals types of flavors of peach, stone fruit or vanilla and sometimes also flavors of lemon, pear or tangerine.

The best vintages in white wine of Valais

  • 2017With an average score of 4.15/5
  • 2018With an average score of 4.14/5
  • 2016With an average score of 4.14/5
  • 2015With an average score of 4.13/5
  • 2011With an average score of 4.13/5
  • 2014With an average score of 4.09/5

The most used grape varieties in white wine of Valais

  • Petite Arvine
  • Pinot Gris
  • Pinot Blanc
  • Silvaner
  • Marsanne
  • Sauvignon Blanc

The best wineries and winemakers for white wine of Valais

A wine route planned in the region of Valais? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best white wine of Valais.

Discover the grape variety: Merlot

Merlot noir is a grape variety that originated in France (Bordeaux). It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by small to medium sized bunches, and medium sized grapes. Merlot noir can be found in many vineyards: South West, Languedoc & Roussillon, Cognac, Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Armagnac, Burgundy, Jura, Champagne, Rhone Valley, Beaujolais, Provence & Corsica, Savoie & Bugey.

Great sparkling wines of Valais

See the top 100 best sparkling wines of Valais

Want to buy a sparkling wine of Valais cheap or sell a sparkling wine of Valais at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a sparkling wine of Valais

Sparkling wines from the region of Valais go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of roast pork with milk, mexican salad with spicy dressing or zucchini quiche.

Organoleptic analysis of sparkling wine of Valais

On the nose the sparkling wine of the region of Valais. often reveals types of flavors of non oak, earth or microbio and sometimes also flavors of vegetal, oak or tree fruit.

The best vintages in sparkling wine of Valais

  • 2015With an average score of 4.20/5
  • 2009With an average score of 4.20/5
  • 2010With an average score of 3.80/5
  • 2013With an average score of 3.80/5
  • 2014With an average score of 3.75/5
  • 2012With an average score of 3.70/5

The most used grape varieties in sparkling wine of Valais

  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Petite Arvine
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Moscato

The best wineries and winemakers for sparkling wine of Valais

A wine route planned in the region of Valais? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best sparkling wine of Valais.

The word of the wine: Muscat blanc à petits grains

A white grape variety cultivated since antiquity on the shores of the Mediterranean, it is considered the noblest of the muscats. It is mainly used to make sweet wines, often from mutage. In France, it is the sole variety used in many natural sweet wines: muscat-de-frontignan, muscat-de-mireval, muscat-de-lunel, muscat-de-saint-jean-de-minervois, muscat-de-beaumes-de-venise, muscat-du-cap-corse. Combined with Muscat d'Alexandrie, it gives Muscat-de-Rivesaltes. It is also used to make sparkling white wines (clairette-de-die; moscato d'asti and asti spumante in Italy) and dry wines (alsace-muscat). Powerfully aromatic and complex, its wines evoke fresh grapes, roses, exotic fruits, citrus fruits and spices.

Great pink wines of Valais

See the top 100 best pink wines of Valais

Want to buy a pink wine of Valais cheap or sell a pink wine of Valais at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a pink wine of Valais

Pink wines from the region of Valais go well with generally quite well with dishes of veal, pork or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of tunisian pasta, homemade pork curry or roast duck with cider sauce.

Organoleptic analysis of pink wine of Valais

On the nose the pink wine of the region of Valais. often reveals types of flavors of raspberry, cheese or non oak and sometimes also flavors of microbio, red fruit or pineapple.

The best vintages in pink wine of Valais

  • 2018With an average score of 3.81/5
  • 2019With an average score of 3.74/5
  • 2017With an average score of 3.72/5
  • 2015With an average score of 3.62/5
  • 2016With an average score of 3.57/5
  • 2013With an average score of 3.48/5

The most used grape varieties in pink wine of Valais

  • Pinot Noir
  • Gamay
  • Shiraz/Syrah
  • Humagne Rouge

The best wineries and winemakers for pink wine of Valais

A wine route planned in the region of Valais? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best pink wine of Valais.

Discover the grape variety: Sangiovese

Originally from Italy, it is the famous Sangiovese of Tuscany producing the famous wines of Brunello de Montalcino and Chianti. This variety is registered in the Official Catalogue of Wine Grape Varieties, list A1. According to recent genetic analysis, it is the result of a natural cross between the almost unknown Calabrese di Montenuovo (mother) and Ciliegiolo (father).

Great sweet wines of Valais

See the top 100 best sweet wines of Valais

Want to buy a sweet wine of Valais cheap or sell a sweet wine of Valais at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a sweet wine of Valais

Sweet wines from the region of Valais go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, shellfish or rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) such as recipes of quiche without eggs, navarin of the sea da gigi or tuna with tomatoes in the oven.

Organoleptic analysis of sweet wine of Valais

On the nose the sweet wine of the region of Valais. often reveals types of flavors of peach, apricot or microbio and sometimes also flavors of tree fruit, red fruit or earth. In the mouth the sweet wine of the region of Valais. is a powerful with a nice freshness.

The best vintages in sweet wine of Valais

  • 2008With an average score of 4.90/5
  • 2005With an average score of 4.70/5
  • 2006With an average score of 4.60/5
  • 2010With an average score of 4.44/5
  • 2012With an average score of 4.31/5
  • 2014With an average score of 4.28/5

The most used grape varieties in sweet wine of Valais

  • Marsanne
  • Pinot Gris
  • Petite Arvine
  • Malvasia
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Merlot

The best wineries and winemakers for sweet wine of Valais

A wine route planned in the region of Valais? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best sweet wine of Valais.

The word of the wine: Bordeaux barrel

Barrels of 220 to 225 litres. The toasting of the barrel to bend the staves (curved boards used to make the barrels) can vary according to the coopers and the demand. A gentle and slow toasting has little effect on the aromas. On the other hand, a strong toasting gives aromas of coffee or cocoa which will influence the taste of the wine. A wine barrel has already been aged for a year and has less impact on the wine than a new barrel.

Great natural sweet wines of Valais

See the top 100 best natural sweet wines of Valais

Want to buy a natural-sweet wine of Valais cheap or sell a natural-sweet wine of Valais at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a natural-sweet wine of Valais

Natural sweet wines from the region of Valais go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or veal such as recipes of pasta bolognese, lamb garam massala or andouillette de troyes with chaource sauce.

The most used grape varieties in natural-sweet wine of Valais

  • Shiraz/Syrah
  • Pinot Noir

The best wineries and winemakers for natural-sweet wine of Valais

A wine route planned in the region of Valais? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best natural-sweet wine of Valais.

    Discover the grape variety: Pinot gris

    Pinot Gris is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot gris was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. Pinot Gris is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot Gris wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot gris is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.

    News from the vineyard of Valais

    The Saint-Véran appellation investigated through its geology and geography

    The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) invites you to enjoy this video in which Jean-Pierre Renard, Expert Instructor at the Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne, explains the topographical and geological characteristics of the Saint-Véran appellation.The exercice is particularly complex as there are so many variables that make up the terroir throughout its geographical area. This video is taken from the “Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” program broadcasted in June 2021. Retrouvez-nous sur les réseaux so ...

    The Irancy appellation seen by Nicolas Ferrari

    Nicolas Ferrari, from Domaine Ferrari, explains how the Irancy Village appellation has been created over the years. He also reveal the ageing capacity of the appellation and invites us to be patient “ Our patience is always rewarded with an Irancy”. This video is taken from the “Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” program (June 2020). Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines​​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BourgogneWines/​​​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin ...

    Bourgogne wines : The fundamentals

    Understand (or almost) everything about Bourgogne wines in less than a minute? Just do it! Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BourgogneWines/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinsdebourgogne/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bivb Find out more on our website: https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/ #BourgogneWines #Bourgogne ...

    Discover other regions and appellation of Valais

    A wine route in the region of Valais ? Visit the most beautiful wine towns and villages

    • Arbaz
    • Ayent
    • Berneck
    • Brignon (nendaz)
    • Case postale
    • Chamoson
    • Champlan
    • Conthey
    • Corin sur sierre
    • Corin-de-la-crête
    • Crans-montana
    • Flanthey
    • Fully
    • Givisiez
    • Grimisuat
    • Grosshöchstetten
    • Hérens
    • Kiesen
    • La tour-de-peilz
    • Lalden
    • Lens
    • Leuk
    • Leuk-stadt
    • Martigny
    • Miège
    • Nax
    • Rothenburg
    • Saillon
    • Salgesch
    • Salgesh
    • Savièse
    • Sierre
    • Sion
    • St-léonard
    • St-pierre-de-clages
    • Stäfa zürichsee
    • Turtmann
    • Varen
    • Venthône
    • Verbier