The Wallis valley of Switzerland

We just returned from spending 4 days with one of my aunts in this valley, and everywhere you look there are vineyards on the slopes below the mountains. Depending on exposure to the sun, some are on one side or the other of the valley. There are a few vineyards on the valley floor, but the best wines come from sites on the hillsides.

We were in Chandolin, a small village adjacent to Saviese. I have included a photo of the view from the balcony of her apartment, I can see why she chose this spot. To wake up, or watch the sun go down in the evening over the high mountains, and be surrounded by vineyards is really special.

We were treated to some very good cooking, and some nice wines from this area. I tried some wines from this region that are a few of the 52 varieties grown in this valley. We enjoyed a Johannisberg (white) from St. Jodern Kellerei in Visperterminen, grown in the highest vineyards in Europe at between 2100ft and 3700ft. It was perfect with the Raclette we had for dinner that night....

I also enjoyed a Cornalin (red grape) from Robert Gilliard, it's an old variety from this valley which produces a nice soft red wine with good blue and black fruit flavors balanced by just right acidity. A very good comanion to the Fondue Chinoise we had on another evening meal.

Fondue Chinoise is a hot vegetable boullion into which you can put thinly sliced beef, calf's meat, chicken, small meatballs of pork, or shrimp, scallops, on a normal fondue fork until it's just cooked through and served with assorted sauces of your choice to dip the meat into. Delicious!

The sad part for us in America is that 95% of all Swiss wines are consumed within the country, or a small distance into the surroundind countries.... very little is imported into the USA, and probably only the major cities.

Joe, given our discussions about wine, you would love it here! You've got to convince the company you work for to somehow send you to a neighboring country for business, then take a few days to wander around doing "research" on the many varieties grown in this valley.

Cheers, Sante!

Ed