Agroscope

Performance of Endangered Heritage Grape Varieties in the Vineyards of Valais

Twelve heritage grape varieties grown in Valais and at risk of extinction have been added to Agroscope’s grape varieties collection and studied. This action is linked to the National Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources.

The surface of different grape varieties in Valaisian vineyards has evolved significantly since the mid-nineteenth century. Varieties introduced at this time (Pinot noir, Chasselas, Gamay and Sylvaner), which currently represent 61% of the vine stock, have largely replaced the traditional and indigenous varieties previously grown in this region. However, some of these older varieties, such as Petite Arvine, Humagne blanc, Païen (Savagnin blanc), Amigne, Humagne rouge (Cornalin d’Aoste) or even Cornalin du Valais (Rouge du pays), have enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the last thirty years and seen their share grow from 3.1% to 18.3% during this time. Apart from these varieties which still play an important role, other varieties which are no longer grown on a significant scale or even seem to have disappeared are mentioned in various writings from earlier centuries. 

Twelve varieties conserved and studied in Agroscope’s ampelographic collection

Conservation work conducted by Agroscope in collaboration with the Valaisian Office of Viticulture and a few producers has seen twelve of these endangered varieties added to Agroscope’s ampelographic collection in Pully (Canton of Vaud – VD) and studied in Leytron (Canton of Valais – VS). The agronomic performance and œnological potential of these varieties have been studied as part of a monitoring programme conducted from 2015 to 2020 at the Agroscope experimental station in Leytron (VS). The twelve varieties included in the study were Gouais, Blanchier, Gros Bourgogne, Himbertscha, Completer, Lafnetscha, Diolle, Grosse Arvine and Rèze for the whites, and Goron de Bovernier, Rouge de Fully and Eyholzer Roter for the reds.

The conservation of these varieties at national level is coordinated by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) as part of the NAP project (National Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture) through the vine working group of the Swiss Commission for the Conservation of Cultivated Plants (CPC). This group has drawn up a positive list of varieties deemed worthy of conserving, which includes the twelve varieties featured in this study.

Material free from serious viruses has been selected for four varieties and distributed by the Swiss certification sector (Completer RAC 67, Grosse Arvine RAC 92, Himbertscha RAC 93, Gros Bourgogne RAC 94).

Conclusions

  • Conservation work conducted by Agroscope in collaboration with the Valaisian Office of Viticulture and a few producers has successfully preserved twelve heritage varieties in the national ampelographic collection in Pully (VD).
  • This work was carried out as part of the National Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources by the vine working group of the Swiss Commission for the Conservation of Cultivated Plants (CPC).
  • These varieties underwent testing at the Agroscope experimental station in Leytron (VS) from 2015 to 2020 to determine their agronomic characteristics and to study certain aspects of their œnological potential.
  • Through Agroscope’s work, it has been also possible to select clones free from serious viral infection for four varieties and distribute them through the Swiss certification sector (Completer RAC 67, Grosse Arvine RAC 92, Himbertscha RAC 93, Gros Bourgogne RAC 94).
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