Heida Wine: A guide to Heida white wine
This wine is, of course, just one of many excellent Valais white wines that we offer in our selection. In our online shop, you will also find a wide variety of rosé wines, red wines, sparkling wines, and digestifs.
If you are looking for a gift, we recommend exploring our gift service, which includes various tasting boxes or a gift voucher, allowing the recipient to choose freely from our online shop.
Heida wine
Heida is a wine with pagan roots, as its existence in Valais dates back to pre-Christian times. The name of this characterful wine reflects exactly this origin. In the Upper Valais dialect, the name Heida means nothing less than “original,” “very old,” or even “pagan,” referring to the era before Christianization. What has been crafted with passion for countless generations in harmony with the unique nature of Valais now proudly bears the nickname “Pearl of Alpine Wines.”
Origin and distribution
Heida originates from the French Jura, where the grape is known as Savagnin or Savagnin blanc, famous for its role in vin jaune, and is also referred to in Germany as Traminer. This dispels the common misconception among wine enthusiasts that Heida is an indigenous grape variety to Valais. If you wish to enjoy Heida in the Lower Valais or Western Switzerland, you should know that it has been called "Païen" (or Paein) there since 1812.
Of the roughly 200 hectares where this grape is cultivated as a rarity in Switzerland, 187 hectares are located in Valais. The canton of Vaud follows with 28 hectares, with smaller parcels found in other Swiss regions.
Interesting fact: Where does Heida come from?
Heida was first documented in northeastern France in the Jura region. Its more than 100 synonyms are evidence of its wide and early dissemination. In 1586, the grape variety was first mentioned in a document in Valais.
The Heida / Savagnin blanc grape variety
According to ampelography, the Heida grape variety can be described as follows:
- The shoot tip is open and white-woolly, often with a white-greenish hue and a touch of carmine red.
- Young leaves show slight woolly hair and a yellowish tint. The leaves are typically small and entire, although rarely they can be five-lobed and deeply indented.
- The petiole sinus is lyre-shaped and slightly open, while the teeth are medium-sized and blunt compared to other varieties.
- The cylindrical bunch is small and compact, with small, round, whitish berries that have a neutral taste. The thick skin of the berries makes them resistant to botrytis rot.
- This moderately vigorous variety ripens about 20 days after Chasselas and is considered an early ripening grape. While yields are often low, targeted viticultural practices can increase them. Thanks to its resistance to botrytis, the variety can remain on the vine until December, although it is susceptible to powdery mildew.
Flavor profile
A classic Heida presents itself with a straw-yellow color. This popular, full-bodied white wine impresses with a fresh, lively character, supported by citrus notes and elegantly rounded by fine aromas of exotic fruits, honey, nuts, marzipan, and musk. The Heida wines by Mathier captivate with an extra touch of freshness, achieved through a well-balanced mix of various vineyard sites and carefully integrated components.
The Heida Les Pyramides Valais AOC stands out for its toasty notes and well-integrated tannins, as well as its aging potential, allowing the wine to be enjoyed over several years. For example, the 2020 vintage has reached its peak, and the 2022 vintage shows potential for three to five years of aging.
Interesting fact: What does a bottle of Heida cost?
For those who value high-quality wines and unforgettable moments in the glass, a bottle of good Heida wine typically costs between CHF 20 and CHF 30.
History and cultivation
The Heida grape variety, first documented in the mid-16th century in the region of Varen in Upper Valais, is considered one of the traditional grape varieties of the area. The term “Heyda” and “Rÿebe” were recorded in 1586 in the resolutions of the council of Visp. The latter term, "Rÿebe," refers to the lower part of the vineyard in Visperterminen, still known as Riebe today. Archaeological excavations suggest that the sun-exposed mountain slopes around Visperterminen were used for viticulture by the Celts around 6,000 years ago.
Modern developments
Originating from Upper Valais, where Heida has long been the flagship of the mountain village of Visperterminen, this grape variety is increasingly popular among winemakers in Lower Valais.
In Upper Valais, winemakers often focus on producing opulent and structured wines, resulting in a particularly robust Heida. In the heart of Valais, winemakers emphasize the combination of vibrant acidity and aromatic finesse. This perfect interplay brings sophistication to the glass, highlighting the best of Heida.
Today, the Heida grape variety has established a firm foothold along the Rhône's sunny slopes. The triple award-winning Swiss winemaker of 2018, 2011, and 2007 cultivates Heida on sun-drenched clay-rich vineyard sites at 750 meters above sea level, stretching between Turtmann in Upper Valais and Venthône above Sierre in Lower Valais.
Pairing Heida with food
Heida pairs excellently with poultry and Asian dishes. It is also a great companion to freshwater fish, seafood, crustaceans, mussels, and oysters. Cheese enthusiasts will also enjoy Heida with aged Alpine cheeses.
A special Valais insider tip: pair Heida Les Pyramides AOC Valais with vineyard snails in a rich herb butter sauce. Many Valais locals also swear by Heida as the perfect companion to Alpine cheese or a fine Valais raclette.
Storage and aging What pairs well with Heida waine?
Many wine lovers are unaware that Heida is a true all-rounder. From freshwater fish to seafood, poultry, Asian dishes, cheese, or vineyard snails, Heida is always a perfect choice to impress your guests.
Storage and Aging
Heida wines should be stored in a dark, consistently cool location. You can find tips for proper wine storage at home in our blog post “Easy Wine Storage.”
The Heida white wines from the Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen winery can be enjoyed immediately after bottling. However, those willing to wait can cellar their Heida wines for up to five years after harvest, allowing them to develop finesse. Exceptional vintages of Heida white wines have an aging potential of 20, or even up to 30, years.