by Alexandre Truffer, ©RomanDuVin.ch 2007

The Humagne Rouge not only has an obscure history, but it also strives to disguise itself in order to confuse those who are interested in deciphering it. Compared to the Oriou, the Humagne Blanche and the Petit Rouge, the Humagne Rouge recently underwent DNA tests to reveal its true identity.

Elusive from a linguistic point of view, the Humagne Rouge surely doesn't deserve this description on the oenological chart. Rustic and wild, it seduces or revolts, but it doesn't leave you indifferent. Full of unexpected flavours for a full-bodied red wine, this unknown vine outside Le Valais has attracted an ever-growing number of connoisseurs.

Other Articles (in french):
De l'avis des experts (Advice from the Experts) (read more in french)  
Faux noms, surnoms et pseudonymes (False Names, Nicknames and Pseudonyms) (read more in french) 
Informations pratiques (Practical Information) (read more in french)

The name Muscat refers to more than just a variety of raisins; it's a family carrying similar fragrances. The Muscat has been cultivated in the Mediterranean Basin for several millennia, and as time went by, it colonized the many wine-growing regions. It found welcoming grounds in Switzerland, but later went out of fashion in most of the cantons. Today, the Muscat is just about only found in Valais, where it was able to keep a few sunny plots of land.

Muscat, the flavour of Rome (read more, in french)
Valais' most Mediterranean vineyards (read more in french)
Practical information (read more in french)

The most precious of Valaisan oenological treasures thrives on the slope of the Vétroz village. The greenish-yellow slightly oval bays ripen at the end of autumn in this corner of the Alps.  Delicate and fragile, they are responsible for the enormous success of its apricot and citrus fruit flavours.

The Amigne, because of its ability to over-ripen, gives rise to syrupy wines of very great potential.  These delights, picked in winter, should not lead to the oversight of the splendid dry white wines that the encaveurs get by harvesting in September.

Deep, discrete roots (for more information in french)
Vétroz, a village for a grape variety (for more information in french)
Practical information (for more information in french)

by Alexandre Truffer, ©RomanDuVin.ch 2006

Rèze is the wine of the peasants of the region's mountains. In the catalogues, outside its birthplace, it is considered to be among the most erudite. Listed as rustic, this ancient variety has lost almost all its estates to an invader called the Fendant. Fate dealt a bad blow to one that has perhaps descended from Italian vines toasted by Pline and Galien.

An old custom has, however, ensured global recognition of the less cultivated vine. Following a transhumant tradition, the inhabitants of the small towns of Val d’Anniviers are using it to develop a very unusual speciality called the Glacier. Dive into the cellars where the most mysterious of wines ages.

A Roman origin confirmed by a paternity test (read more in french)
Barrels, glaciers, nomads, a tradition (read more in french)
Practical information (read more in french)