Cornalin du Valais

Cornalin du Valais has deep roots in the Swiss Alps, with its first written mention recorded in 1313 in the small village of Flanthey, considered its birthplace within Valais. The grape is believed to have originated in the Aosta Valley in Italy, crossing into Switzerland via the Grand Saint Bernard Pass centuries ago. Historically known as Rouge du Pays, it was a common farmer's drink credited with medicinal properties. By the early 1970s the variety had fallen into near extinction, but a dedicated group of enthusiasts in Salgesch stepped in to rescue remaining vines. In 1972 the grape was renamed Cornalin, and its revival was cemented when it entered the Sélection Valais program in the 1990s. The oldest living red vine in Switzerland, planted between 1790 and 1810, is a Cornalin found in Leuk-Stadt.

• First written mention: 1313 in Flanthey, Valais
• Arrived in Valais from the Aosta Valley via the Grand Saint Bernard Pass
• Nearly extinct by the early 1970s; renamed Cornalin in 1972 following rescue efforts in Salgesch
• Entered the Sélection Valais program in the 1990s

Valais is one of the driest and sunniest wine regions in Switzerland, receiving 2,500 hours of sunshine annually and only 650mm of rainfall per year. Cool alpine nights and foehn winds moderate temperatures throughout the growing season. Cornalin thrives in this continental alpine climate, benefiting particularly from the poor soils it prefers and its natural frost resistance. Vineyards sit between 450 and 800 meters above sea level, with soils ranging from gravelly and alluvial fans to clay-limestone, moraine, granite, and chalk. These varied terroirs contribute to the complexity found in wines from different communes across the region.

• 2,500 hours of sunshine and just 650mm of rainfall annually
• Vineyards range from 450 to 800 meters above sea level
• Diverse soils: gravel, clay-limestone, alluvial fans, moraine, granite, and chalk
• Foehn winds and cool alpine nights shape the growing season

Cornalin du Valais is one of the most challenging varieties to grow in Valais. It ripens late, demands significant patience from the winemaker, and delivers notoriously variable yields. The variety is highly susceptible to rot, making careful canopy management essential. On the positive side, it is frost-resistant and thrives on the poor soils common throughout the region. One of Cornalin's most striking characteristics is that its leaves turn red as the berries mature, making it visually distinctive in the vineyard. Recent genetic research published in 2025 indicates that the true parentage of the variety remains unclear and it cannot be defined simply as a cross of Petit Rouge and Mayolet, as previously believed.

• Late-ripening, capricious variety with notoriously variable yields
• Susceptible to rot; frost-resistant and well-suited to poor soils
• Leaves turn red as berries mature, a rare trait among grape varieties
• 2025 genetic research confirms parentage remains scientifically unresolved

Cornalin du Valais produces deep-colored, complex red wines characterized by aromas of black cherry, violet, clove, dark berries, and spices. The wines are rich and aromatic with silky tannins and a distinctive pleasant bitter finish. Bottle aging is recommended to allow the full complexity of the wine to develop. The variety is currently regarded as an emblem of Valais red wine production alongside Petite Arvine, and carries Grand Cru designations in the communes of Conthey, Leytron, and Saillon.

• Aromas of black cherry, violet, clove, dark berries, and spice
• Silky tannins with a characteristic pleasant bitter finish
• Rich and complex wines that benefit from bottle aging
• Grand Cru designations in Conthey, Leytron, and Saillon