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Fendant

About this grape variety

Chasselas is considered by some to be a specifically Swiss grape, or at least to have come from the Lake Geneva region, but one thing is certain: nowhere else produces Chasselas wines of such subtlety and complexity.

An early and vigorous plant, Chasselas is noted for its ability to adapt to many soils and micro-climates, expressing to the full the subtle particularity of each terroir.

Chasselas is the perfect aperitif wine, sometimes slightly fizzy and always light and airy. Appreciated at all social occasions

 

Information

  • Nose

    Floral aspect tending towards lime tree; can be fruity with a mineral character (flint, hazelnut) due to the terroir. This calls to mind the vineyard in flower, dry, gently crumbly, expresses the various terroirs well.

  • Palate

    Often very slightly bubbly, always playful, light and easy to drink, all of which makes it the perfect aperitif wine and just right for any occasion when people get together. The fruit tends towards lemon or well-ripened apple.

  • Origin

    It is called Fendant in Valais because of a particular feature of the ripe grape: the skin and pulp melt when pressed gently between fingers. The wine’s popularity rose dramatically in the middle of the 19th century thanks to government support. Today it is the second most planted grape variety, after Pinot Noir. It is French-speaking Switzerland’s most characteristic wine.

Fendant

768 ha out of 4675 ha, or 16.42%

Tasting profile

Fruity

Floral

Light

Soft

Dry

Not sweet

295 wine producers cultivate this grape variety

Find a cellar
Etymology

The name Fendant refers to a type of Chasselas whose berries split (as opposed to spurt) when squeezed between the fingers.

wine cellar(s)

Taste this grape variety

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Ollon

13 wines from this cellar

Cave Cédric Briguet

In 2018 Cédric Briguet took over the cellar in his family name. His favourite vintage is Fendant or Chasselas for purists.

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Sierre

20 wines from this cellar

Cave Adrien et Maurice Zufferey

Maurice Zufferey and his son Adrien have the same passion for authentic Valais winemaking.

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Saillon

18 wines from this cellar

Cave Pierre-Antoine Crettenand

Pierre-Antoine Crettenand currently operates 8 hectares of vines from which he chooses the grapes for the production of 30,000 bottles.

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Your tasting profile

Select your favourite type of wine or indicate what you are looking for in a wine and find out which Valais wine is right for you.

apricots, citrus fruits, exotic or red fruits, almonds, etc.Fruity

violet, elder, lime, rose, etc.Floral

low in alcohol, low in tanninsLight

Medium-bodied

intense alcohol, acidity and aromasFull

dominated by acid, which gives the wine a fresh appearanceCrisp

Fresh

without acidity, round, smoothSoft

no residual sugarDry

Semi-sweet

mellow wine, fairly supple, fleshyRich

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