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The Cornalin
The old emblematic grape variety that the Valais people named Cornalin comes from the cross between Mayolet and Petit Rouge, both from the Aosta Valley.
It is therefore native to this valley even if today it is exclusively cultivated in Valais where it is considered indigenous. For a long time it was called Rouge du Pays (Alter Landrote), we suppose that it is the grape variety mentioned under the name of “Neyrum” alongside Rèze (Resi) and Humagne in the Anniviers register of 1313, controversial interpretation by the ampelologist José Vouillamoz.
At the end of the 19th century, like other native grape varieties, Cornalin was abandoned in favor of grape varieties that were easier to work with and gave more regular and higher yields such as Pinot Noir and Gamay . Thus the Rouge du Pays had practically disappeared by the middle of the 20th century. In the meantime, with a renewed interest in quality wines carrying the identity of their production region, 151 ha have been replanted. In 1972 it was officially named "Cornalin", a misnomer because a grape variety already bearing that name is grown in the Aosta Valley and which, in Valais, is known as Humagne Rouge.
The main handicap of Cornalin is its alternation: one year it has significant yields and the following year almost no grapes. In addition, it tends to suffer from magnesium deficiency and it is sensitive to coulure (if the weather conditions are bad during the flowering period, fruiting is impaired and the clusters bear few berries). On the other hand, when the climatic conditions suit it, this late grape variety produces magnificent, very distinctive wines characterized by aromas of black cherries, raspberries and violets. Dense, sometimes rustic on the palate when young, it becomes, with age, silky , very deep and with an elegant acidity marked by a slight final bitterness which gives it freshness and length. It is undoubtedly the most exciting Valais grape variety, along with Petite Arvine. Even the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius was greatly impressed by the Rouge du Pays. He described it as a wine with Mediterranean generosity in which the breeze of the glaciers and the smell of the meadows of the Alps mingle.
Red wine
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Valais AOC
Maurice Gay 1883, Cornalin
Regular price
From CHF 17.50 (50cl)
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Sale price
From CHF 17.50 (50cl)
(50cl)
Red wine
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Domaine du Mont d’Or, Valais AOC
Vieux Cachet, Cornalin
Regular price
CHF 31.00 (75cl)
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Sale price
CHF 31.00 (75cl)
(75cl)
Red wine
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Maurice Gay, Valais AOC
Hommage à Maurice Gay
Regular price
From CHF 39.00 (75cl)
Regular price
Sale price
From CHF 39.00 (75cl)
(75cl)
