Petite Arvine - The outstanding Valais wine
Introduction: Petite Arvine AOC Valais white wines
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.
Key information at a glance
- Petite Arvine originates entirely from Valais, where it was first mentioned in 1602 in the vineyard of the hamlet of Molignon above Sion, the cantonal capital of Valais. Alongside Cornalin and Humagne blanche, it belongs to the group of indigenous grape varieties or ancient cultivars. Occasionally, this variety can also be found outside of Switzerland, in the Aosta Valley.
- Although cultivated on a relatively small area of 200 hectares in Valais, producing an annual volume of 40 million liters along a 100 km stretch of the Rhône, this white wine enjoys an international reputation.
Origins, ancestry & importance of the Petite Arvine grape variety
The exact origins of the Petite Arvine grape are unknown. Derived from the Latin name "Arvine," it is speculated that the variety may have made its way to Valais via the Arve Valley in Savoy.
Today, this white wine variety is considered indigenous to Valais. This attribution was reinforced in 1878 during a meeting of the International Viticulture Research Society in Geneva when experts confirmed the regional designation "Petite Arvine" and its local origin after analyzing grapes from Valais. It was definitively established that Petite Arvine is a native grape variety of Valais.
The grape, often simply referred to as Arvine, was given the "Petite" prefix to distinguish it from its related variety, Grosse Arvine.
Characteristics of the Petite Arvine white wine variety: growth, ripeness, and yield
Petite Arvine is like a delicate flower among grape varieties. It thrives only in the best sunny, wind-protected terraces, which should not be too dry. It prefers poor soils and reacts sensitively to herbicides.
Winemakers must carefully consider these specific requirements to produce a high-quality white wine.
This Swiss grape variety buds early but ripens nearly last in Valais, 20 to 30 days after Chasselas. Its vegetative cycle is very long. The cylindrical clusters carry small, round berries with thin greenish-yellow skin. Petite Arvine typically yields must weights of 95 to 110 degrees Oechsle.
Flavor profile of Petite Arvine: Fruity aromas, complex structure, and a beautiful mature acidity
Its fine, melting, and delicate flesh gives these wines an incomparable taste. On the palate, it is lively, racy, with a slightly salty finish and a touch of minerality. Petite Arvine is also used to craft excellent sweet wines, akin to a Trockenbeerenauslese.
These wines with residual sweetness can be enjoyed young but also possess excellent aging potential. After several years of aging in the cellar or bottle, this white wine variety captivates with its unique harmony and complexity.
Petite Arvine white wines come in numerous variations: the dry Petite Arvine AOC Valais wine with aromas of wisteria and grapefruit, the slightly sweet Petite Arvine wine with notes of rhubarb, and sweet wines that enchant with their distinctive aroma and finish reminiscent of exotic fruits.
Petite Arvine and food: The best pairings
To fully develop its range of aromas and delight in the glass, Petite Arvine AOC Valais white wine should always be served well chilled. An initial serving temperature of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius may surprise, but in combination with aperitifs, starters, dishes with seafood, poultry, rabbit, or hard cheese, this well-chilled white wine from Valais is sure to impress.
Our Petite Arvine AOC Valais recommendations
Petite Arvine Les Pyramides AOC Valais
This wine has repeatedly won awards at national and international wine competitions as the best wine in Switzerland.
Ambassadeur de Domaine Diego Mathier Weiss AOC Valais
This wine has also been awarded multiple gold medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards, the world’s largest wine competition, and was recognized as the best Swiss wine.
Petite Arvine Hospices de Salquenen AOC VS
Interesting facts about Petite Arvine
What does Arvine mean in German?
The name, derived from Latin, might suggest that the grape variety made its way to Valais via the Arve Valley in Savoy.
What pairs well with Petite Arvine?
This white wine pairs wonderfully with foie gras, fish and seafood dishes, oysters, or a cheese platter featuring Alpine cheeses. Petite Arvine is a symbolic grape variety from Valais and the Aosta Valley, undoubtedly one of the greatest white grape varieties in the world.