Swiss Cellars - Switzerland . Valais Valais is Switzerland’s 3rd largest canton (state) with an area of 5,200 km2 (1,285,000 acres). Located in southwestern Switzerland, most of its territory is part of the Swiss Alps. The Rhône river, one of Europe’s most important river, takes its source at the Rhône glacier in eastern Valais, and flows westbound through the canton’s main valley. Valais’ main vineyards are located on slopes along the river banks over a span of approximately 100km (62mi). Valais is Switzerland’s main wine region with approximately 1/3 of the country’s production.
Winemakers' Federation of Australia - Home Swiss Wine Page [ back | Home Page ] The Valais is the valley of the Rhone river. Protected by the Alps it borders West Switzerland in the North, Italy and France in the South. With an average of 2,100 hours of sunshine per year it reaches the maximum in Switzerland. Typical of the Valais are the many different micro-climates, due to the complex soil structure and the local winds. Chasselas (also called Fendant) provides with 45% the largest amount of the production of white wines; Sylvaner, which is sold as Johannisberg, taking second position.The other types of vines count as specialities of the Valais: Amigné, Arvine, Humagne Blanc, Rèze, Marsanne Blanche, Muscat and Savagnin Blanc (Heida). The classic system of the vine-cut in the Valais is the Gobelet-cut. WebMastering by QUARAS First WebDesign by minick Thanks to Silvia Kuebler, Zurich
Swiss Wine Online The Valais has the largest number of hectares cultivated to grapevine in Switzerland – and for a good reason. With high mountains to the North, East and South, it is very sheltered and the winds (Föhn) that blow over these mountains are dry and warm as they make it down into the valley and accelerate the growth of the grapes. The Valais receives the least amount of rain and the most amount of sun out of all the wine regions in Switzerland. The vineyards stretch almost continuously from the town of Varen down to Martigny. They range from flat areas on the valley floor to steep, picturesque plots at inclinations up to 90%, spanning an altitude range from 460 meters to 1150 meters above sea level in the Visperterminen. There is a long tradition in the Valais for making dessert wines. A popular red wine from the Valais is Dole, which is a red wine assemblage that is to 85% produced from Pinot Noir and Gamay.