Resi 2021

The colour is pale straw. On the nose citrus, green apple, resin. In the mouth light, fresh and mineral. The aftertaste is rather short.

The Rèze is an ancient indigenous grape of Valais that has become a rarity. It is considered a par excellence high-Alpine grape variety. Around 1920, almost all vineyards of Valais fell victim to the American phylloxera pest. Prior to the phylloxera pandemic, Rèze was very common. Today, only 1.5 hectares are still cultivated in Valais as a local speciality. Continue reading “Resi 2021”

Heida Veritas 2019

The colour is medium yellow. On the nose nuts, apple, ananas, citrus and banana. In the mouth delicate and balanced, with an orange zest taste that lingers on the palate for a while.

Heida Veritas is made in Visperterminen under the AOC Wallis by St. Jodern Kellerei.

The vineyards of Visperterminen reach up to an altitude of 1’150 metres above sea level, which make them Europe’s highest. Continue reading “Heida Veritas 2019”

Kizakura Bijito

The colour is (very) pale straw. On the nose aromas of green apples, white grapes, almond milk and rice pudding. In the mouth soft, with a taste of pears and bananas. The aftertaste has a slight bitterness and is long.

Sake is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. Continue reading “Kizakura Bijito”

Attems Pinot Grigio 2021

The colour is pale gold. On the nose white melon, peach and apricot. In the mouth smooth, mineral and savoury. The aftertaste is pleasant and medium long.

This Pinot Grigio is made by Attems under the region-wide Friuli DOC, according to which the wine must be made with a minimum of 85% Pinot Bianco grapes. The rest can be any OANWG (allowable non-aromatic white grapes). Continue reading “Attems Pinot Grigio 2021”

Malcantone Bianco di Cademario 2018

The colour is medium yellow. On the nose mirabelles, white peaches, banana, grapefruit, almonds. In the mouth very smooth and tasty, but less opulent than on the nose. The aftertaste is not very long, but pleasantly fruity.

This white wine is made by Cantina Monti. It is a blend of white grapes: more than 50% Müller-Thurgau, with Chardonnay and a bit of Pinot Gris. The pressed must is fermented and aged in barrique. Continue reading “Malcantone Bianco di Cademario 2018”

Cuvée 1858 Blanc 2019

The colour is medium gold. On the nose honey, almonds, dried apricots, banana, ginger. In the mouth filling, elegant and tasty. The aftertaste is savoury and last for quite a while.

This top of the range Valais white wine is made by Bonvin with Petite Arvine, Heida and Amigne grapes. All three grapes are peculiar to Valais. The fermentation and the maturation on lees are carried out in new oak barrels. Continue reading “Cuvée 1858 Blanc 2019”

Terre Alte 2020

The colour is pale straw. On the nose pears, white peaches, orange peels and white flowers. In the mouth grapey and refreshing. The aftertaste is medium long.

This wine is made with 100% Merlot grapes vinified off the skins.

White Merlot del Ticino was born in 1986, when a local Cooperative, faced with chronic grapes’ oversupply, decided to produce a white wine. Other producers followed suit. Nowadays the share of Merlot grapes vinified in white in Ticino is more than 30% of the total production.

Merlot is the main grape of Canton Ticino, where it has been imported from France for experimental purposes at the beginning of the 20th century, during the post-phylloxera period.

Currently Merlot covers about 80% of the planted area in a Canton with some 3’600 grape growers and 200 or so winemakers. Approximately 1’000 hectares are devoted to viticulture.

White Merlot is not my kind of wine. Nevertheless, I find this exemplar made by Gialdi a pleasant Apero wine.

I bought this bottle at the winery for 16 CHF.

Country: Switzerland
Region: Ticino
Grapes: Merlot
Type: White
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Gialdi
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5

Apremont 2021

The colour is pale yellow. On the nose some melon, pear, green apple and herbs. In the mouth very fresh with a marked citrusy flavour. The aftertaste is medium long.

Apremont is one of the best known white wine crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation of the Alps in eastern France. The wines are often made from Jacquère alone. However, the AOC law states that a selection of other grape varieties, including Altesse, Chardonnay and Aligoté, may make up to 20% of the final blend. Continue reading “Apremont 2021”

Ograde 2019

The colour is medium copper. A bit cloudy. On the nose candied citrus-fruits, strawberries, mango, orange marmalade and resin. In the mouth fresh and surprisingly tannic for a white wine. It leaves a drying sensation. The aftertaste is medium long. This wine is very peculiar.

Ograde is an orange wine made with each 25% Vitoska, Malvasia, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio grapes. Continue reading “Ograde 2019”

Vagabondo Bianco 2020

The colour is pale yellow. On the nose tangerine, ananas, banana, jasmine. In the mouth fresh, but without much flavour. The aftertaste is watery and short.

This white wine is made with Solaris and other fungus resistant varieties (PIWI). PIWI is an acronym for the German word pilzwiderstandfähig (fungus resistant). Continue reading “Vagabondo Bianco 2020”