Introduction: Cornalin wine
This wine is, of course, just one of the many excellent Valais reds that we offer. In our online shop, you will also find a wide selection of white wines, rosé wines, sparkling wines and digestifs. If you are looking for a gift, we recommend, for example, the various tasting boxes from our gift service or a gift voucher that allows the recipient to choose freely from our online shop.
Cornalin | Red grape variety
Once almost extinct, the oldest red wine variety in the Valais is now cult. The Cornalin is the most important indigenous red grape variety in the Valais. It came to the Valais from the Aosta Valley (It) centuries ago. Its parents are the Mayolet and Petit Rouge grape varieties. In the Valais, it was first called ‘Rouge du Pays’ or ‘Alter Landroter’. The Cornalin is a difficult, unreliable character: it provokes massive fluctuations in yield. It was only in 1972 that it was renamed Cornalin. It is a colourful, fruity and juicy wine. Its tannins are silky, with a pleasantly bitter note.
Origin: from the Aosta Valley to the Valais
The small village of Flanthey in the Valais is considered to be its place of origin. The first written records of Neyrum or Landroter date back to 1313. However, it was not referred to as Cornalin, but as Landroter and in French as Rouge du Pays. The oldest living red vine in Switzerland can be found in the centre of Leuk-Stadt (VS). It was planted between 1790 and 1810. In the early 1970s, the grape variety was almost extinct. A few brave winemakers – mainly from Salgesch – found a few remaining vines and saved them. The vine was introduced a long time ago from the Aosta Valley via the Great St. Bernard Pass to Valais, while it disappeared from its region of origin.
A very rare grape variety
This grape is a rare variety because it is only grown in Valais. In addition, its yield can vary from year to year. And, although the variety is experiencing a lasting renaissance in Valais, it is only grown on just over 170 hectares (compared to more than 4600 hectares in total in Valais).
The characteristics of the Valais Cornalin
Saving the Cornalin du Valais was one challenge; growing and maturing it is quite another. It is hard, difficult work. It demands a great deal of patience from the winemaker and respect in the face of setbacks. Yields are variable. This grape variety has its whims and quirks and has almost driven many a winemaker to despair. It is not for nothing that the Cornalin du Valais is also known as a diva.
It can amaze with its deep black, spicy fruit, structure and density. But it can also reveal its more harmless side, making it seem tamed and banal. It has a hard time maturing in oak barrels. The winemaker needs a sure instinct to prevent the wine from being dominated by the wood. The Cornalin du Valais is a frost-resistant fighter. It thrives on poor soils and is productive over many decades. However, its susceptibility to rot and, above all, its late ripening, which leads to highly variable yields, often cause vintners to despair.
Do the grapes really come 100% from Valais?
Landroter or Rouge du Pays sounded too much like a simple farmhouse wine. In 1972, it was therefore renamed Cornalin. Jean Nicollier, the viticulture commissioner at the time, suggested this more noble name. This was despite the fact that a red grape variety of the same name already existed in the Aosta Valley in Italy. However, it is not identical to the Landroten.
Rather, it is a cross between Mayolet and Petit Rouge. So today we have the confusing situation of one name being used for two grape varieties: the Cornalin d'Aoste from Italy – which is identical to the Valais Humagne Rouge and is a cross between – and the Cornalin du Valais.
The flagship of Valais red wines
The Cornalin is a true flagship for Valais red wines for several reasons. Firstly, it is a unique grape variety, grown exclusively in Valais, with a characteristic taste.
Secondly, the Cornalin is characterised by its deep red colour and complex aroma profile, which combines notes of dark berries, spices and herbs. Thirdly, it has a remarkable ability to age, which gives it a wide range of flavours, from youthfully fruity to velvety and full-bodied. Fourthly, the Cornalin harmonises perfectly with the regional dishes of Valais, particularly game and cheese specialities, making it an indispensable companion for traditional cuisine.
Finally, the Cornalin enjoys an excellent reputation among wine lovers worldwide due to its high quality and unique terroir, making it a source of pride for Valais.
Wine and food: Cornalin pairings
The red wine Cornalin du Valais is an excellent choice for a variety of dishes. Its full-bodied flavour and rich fruitiness make it the ideal companion for game dishes such as roast venison or saddle of venison. A cheese platter with a selection of Valais specialities such as raclette and Valais mountain cheese harmonises perfectly with Cornalin. This red wine also goes well with other Swiss specialities such as Valais dried meat or rösti. The Valais Cornalin red wine guarantees a particularly enjoyable experience with a hearty fondue, perfectly rounding off the flavours.
Cornalin Les Pyramides – Diego's Landroter from the best locations
This Cornalin du Valais is grown on the best sites in Salgesch, on slightly calcareous soils. After a temperature-controlled first fermentation to enhance the fruit aromas, the wine is aged in stainless steel tanks. This results in a fruity wine that is typical of the variety. This process gives it its youthfulness and it can be enjoyed straight at 16 degrees. It has a dark colour. It has a bouquet of ripe cherries and a hint of cloves. Fresh and fruity on the palate with a long finish, it goes perfectly with red meat and exotic cuisine. The Weisshorn is shown at its best on the label, namely from Randa. At 4505 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest mountains in the Valais Alps. The Weisshorn is unsurpassed in beauty.
Cornalin Adrian Mathier – the man of action and his wine
After the harvest, the fermentation is carried out in Vinimatic to achieve optimal temperature control. A Vinimatic is a closed fermentation tank with rotating blades that are cooled with water from the outside. These tanks minimise the extraction of the valuable grape juice during the maceration as well as the oxidation potential. After fermentation, the Cornalin Adrian Mathier is aged in barriques for 15 to 18 months. A beautiful garnet red colour with cherry-red highlights can be seen by eye. The bouquet is open and floral, with accents of forest berries and acacia flowers. On the palate, it is smooth and warm with a fruity character and a hint of liquorice. The well-integrated tannins are complemented by the wine's distinctive yet delicate character.
Depending on the vintage and the wine cellar, Cornalin du Valais can be stored for a long time. The label, in the shape of hands, is reminiscent of the laborious work involved in tending the vines and making wine. This is because patience and hard work pay off with an incomparable character and the best quality. Adrian Mathier is a man of action. He has achieved and created an incredible amount in his life, mainly through physical labour. He is a person who has worked all his life and has thus played a major role in shaping the wine business.
Cornalin Les Pyramides – Dynasty of the Pyramids
The Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen winery is synonymous with fine wines. Diego and Nadia Mathier have been running the family business since 2001. The Mathier family has a history of winemaking stretching back over 600 years, and their wines are full of passion. The wide range of grape varieties and the great diversity of wines are a delight for the palate. In 1995, Diego Mathier created a new line of wines called ‘Les Pyramides’, named after the pyramids of Salgesch, which are located halfway along the vineyard trail to Siders.
The Raspille mountain stream rushes at the foot of the pyramids. It forms the language boundary between Upper and Lower Valais. These bizarre pyramids were created by thousands of years of erosion. This magnificent backdrop inspired us when we created the labels for this range, ‘les Pyramides’. It includes the red wines Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Syrah and Pinot Noir – as well as the white wines Petite Arvine, Amigne, Heida, Humagne Blanc and Viognier.
Interesting facts about Cornalin
What does Cornalin taste like?
Cornalin from the Valais is a lively delight. Its flavour is reminiscent of black cherry, raspberry and violet, while it caresses the palate with an abundance of soft tannins. It is characterised by a subtle spiciness that has hints of cinnamon or clove.