Variety of grape
Petite Arvine is a white wine grape[1] planted in the Valais region of Switzerland. Total Swiss plantations of the variety in 2009 stood at 154 hectares (380 acres).[2]
Ampelographers revealed it to have originated in the Valais region in Switzerland and grown since 1602.[3]
Designation: AOC Valais
Petite Arvine has a reputation as a high-class grape variety, and is seen as the best white wine grape of the Valais. Its wines are rich in extract and are found as dry, medium-dry and sweet wines.[4]
This textured wine contains a generous amount of extract from its thick-skinned berries.
The ambassador of wines from the Valais.[5]
Here is what you can expect from Petite Arvine.
Taste: Fragrant and fruity.
Fruit: Notes of grapefruit and lime.
Acidity: Elevated acidity.
Tannin: Little to no bitterness.
"The vintners regard it so highly that they've dedicated an entire village to it." Fully, Switzerland – Official Swiss tourism website.[6]
Overall, wines produced from this varietal are made of very high quality.
Derived from Latin the name indicates the vine may have originated from the Savoyard Arve valley.[7]
Food pairing
Petite Arvine can typically be enjoyed with typical Swiss foods. Seafoods such as lobster, oyster and sushi make for a good pairing as well.
References