The colour is medium gold. On the nose an aroma of gentian and grapefruit. In the mouth a pleasant minerality, but a less enjoyable bitter finish. A sensation that (unfortunately) accompanies the fairly long aftertaste.
Petite Arvine is an early budding and late ripening white grape variety, which is somewhat fussy in the vineyard. Ampelographers have revealed it to have originated in the Valais region of Switzerland, where it has been grown since 1602. Petite Arvine has a reputation as a high-class grape variety and is seen as the best white wine grape of Valais.
This Grand Crus is produced by Pierre-Antoine Crettenand, a “vigneron indépendant”, who produces only some 30’000 bottle a year. Although “vigneron indépendant” is not a trademark, an independent winemaker usually respects his terroir, works and harvest her own vineyard, makes the wine himself, bottles her wine herself and keeps viticultural traditions.
In Switzerland the Swiss Association of Independent Winemakers (ASVEI) aims to promote the quality and authenticity of Swiss wines and to uphold and safeguard the interests of its members. Seven regional sections are grouped at the national level within the ASVEI.
The ASVEI has 600 members, representing about a third of all domestic producers and 30% of the national production.
I received this bottle as a present from a dear friend, whom wife, a winemaker herself, worked at this valaisian winery. The wine sells for 27 CHF.
Country: Switzerland
Region: Valais
Grapes: Petite Arvine
Type: White
Vintage: 2017
Producer: Pierre-Antoine Crettenand
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5