Gamaret

Gamaret was created in 1970 by André Jaquinet, working alongside Dominique Maigre, at the Federal Research Station in Changins/Pully, Switzerland. The explicit goal was to develop a grape variety better suited to French-speaking Swiss viticulture than Gamay, with improved color intensity and stronger resistance to fungal disease. The cross of Gamay with Reichensteiner delivered exactly that. Gamaret was officially introduced to Switzerland's authorized varieties list in 1990 and carries the nursery designation Pully B-13. Its sister variety, Garanoir, shares identical parentage but was developed with different regional applications in mind.

• Bred at the Federal Research Station in Changins/Pully, Switzerland, in 1970
• Parents: Gamay (for fruit character) and Reichensteiner (for disease resistance and structure)
• Officially authorized in Switzerland in 1990, after two decades of development
• Sister variety Garanoir has identical parentage but distinct regional positioning

Gamaret is cultivated primarily across French-speaking Switzerland, where cool temperate conditions suit its early-ripening character. Geneva leads with 199 hectares, followed by Vaud with 150 hectares and Valais with 108 hectares; Ticino also hosts plantings. Beyond Switzerland, Gamaret was registered in Italy's National Registry in 1999 for cultivation in Valle d'Aosta, and has been authorized in Beaujolais, France, since 2008. Plantings also exist in Württemberg, Germany. Its total cultivated area in Switzerland stands at approximately 434 hectares, making it the country's fourth most planted red variety.

• Geneva (199 ha), Vaud (150 ha), and Valais (108 ha) are the primary Swiss regions
• Registered in Valle d'Aosta, Italy in 1999 and authorized in Beaujolais, France in 2008
• Also present in Württemberg, Germany
• Fourth most planted red grape variety in Switzerland overall

Gamaret is an early-ripening, high-yielding variety with exceptional natural disease resistance. It demonstrates strong resistance to gray mold rot (Botrytis cinerea), oidium, and peronospora, making it well suited to sustainable and low-intervention viticulture. These traits reflect the original breeding goals set out in 1970: to create a variety that could thrive in the cool, humid conditions common across French-speaking Switzerland. Its disease resistance reduces the need for chemical treatments in the vineyard, giving it strong appeal for growers committed to sustainable practices.

• Highly resistant to Botrytis cinerea, oidium, and peronospora
• Early-ripening and high-yielding, well adapted to cool Swiss conditions
• Natural disease resistance supports sustainable viticulture practices
• Bred specifically to perform in French-speaking Swiss climatic conditions

Gamaret produces full-bodied red wines with a deep ruby color and violet reflections. The aroma profile centers on blackberries, black cherries, spices, and savory notes. On the palate, wines show robust tannins, a smooth texture, and balanced acidity. The variety is extensively used in blends with its sister grape Garanoir, a pairing known as Gamaret-Garanoir, which is a well-established combination across French-speaking Switzerland. The grape's depth of color and structural backbone make it one of the most characterful red varieties produced in Switzerland.

• Deep ruby color with violet reflections, darker than Gamay
• Aromas of blackberries, black cherries, spices, and savory notes
• Full-bodied with robust tannins and balanced acidity
• Frequently blended with Garanoir in classic Swiss red blends