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Petite Arvine 2022 - Pierre Bénite - AOC Valais

Our parcel selection of Petite Arvine, a unique Valais wine from the magnificent terroir of Pierre Bénite in Chamoson/Saint-Pierre-de-Clages.

CHF25.00 Tax included

CHF23.13 Tax excluded

Description

Vineyard

The terroir of Pierre Bénite is located on the limestone alluvium cone between Chamoson and Saint-Pierre-de-Clage. Our petite arvine is located on a zone that is deep enough not to be too sensitive to drought, but draining enough to produce concentrated grapes even in years of heavy rainfall. We are lucky to have this unique grape variety planted on such a prestigious terroir.

Grape variety

100% Petite Arvine

Petite Arvine is the great Valaisan white wine of international reputation. As its name suggests, Petite Arvine produces small grapes that are extremely concentrated. Delicate and sensitive to the wind, it ripens only late and therefore requires the best exposure, preferably not too arid.

Winemaking

The grapes are harvested by hand at optimum maturity. All the attention is given at the time of pressing in the selection of the juices.

We carry out a light settling of the must before putting it into oak barrels of 2-3 wines (no new barrels). The alcoholic fermentation is done in barrels and we do not carry out malolactic fermentation in order to keep the freshness of the Petite Arvine.

The ageing in oak barrels lasts about 9 months and then we rack the wines. We filter the wines very lightly before bottling and we age the Petite Arvine - Pré des Pierres for a few months to preserve its minerality.

Vintage 2022

The year 2022 was characterised by exceptional weather conditions and a scorching summer. It was also characterised by a very low level of rainfall throughout the vegetation and grape ripening period. Coupled with the high temperatures, this phenomenon favoured high evaporation, greatly accentuating the water deficit in the soil and making it necessary, in certain situations, to irrigate more than usual.

These hot and dry weather conditions particularly benefited the vines and were very unfavourable to fungal diseases and other pests. After budburst in mid-April, the vines grew rapidly and continuously. Flowering began in mid-May, two weeks ahead of the ten-year average, and the harvest began at the end of August.

With 26 million kilos of red grapes and 20 million kilos of white grapes, the 2022 Valais harvest is close to that recorded in 2019 and 10% above the ten-year average. As a reminder, the very low 2021 harvest, heavily affected by frost and mildew, produced 22.7 million kilos.

The natural sugar content of the 2022 vintage is close to the ten-year average for Chasselas (81 °Oe), Sylvaner (94 °Oe), Pinot Noir (95 °Oe) and Gamay (95 °Oe).

The quality of the wines is very promising. A somewhat surprising freshness for this hot and early vintage gives them energy and vitality, balancing the greediness in a very delicate way.

The white wines have character with a beautiful aromatic exuberance. On the palate, the fruitiness is brilliant, combining floral notes and ripe fruit, while revealing a surprising freshness. The red wines are full-bodied yet subtle. They express themselves in a rich palette of black fruits and warm spices, with beautiful silky and melted tannins.

Tasting

A nose of white peach, citrus, lemon with a hint of pastry, vanilla and butter.

This petite arvine has a crystalline mouthfeel of rhubarb and lemon with a slight smokiness.

This wine will be a perfect match for sea fish or shellfish.

Wine conservation

Ageing potential of 4 to 5 years (in good temperature and humidity conditions).