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Petite Arvine

White43 WineriesIndigenous to Switzerland

Also known as: Arvine

About Petite Arvine

Petite Arvine is the jewel of Valais winemaking — an indigenous grape grown almost nowhere else in the world, producing wines of extraordinary character. The grape has been cultivated in Valais since at least the 17th century, and its origins are still debated among ampelographers.

What sets Petite Arvine apart is its distinctive salty minerality — a saline finish that is rare in white wines and instantly recognizable. Alongside the salt come aromas of grapefruit, rhubarb, passion fruit, and white flowers. The wines have lively acidity, moderate alcohol, and an almost crystalline purity. In late-harvest versions, the salt balances the residual sugar beautifully.

The finest Petite Arvine comes from Fully and Chamoson in the central Valais, where the grape's demanding growing requirements are met by ideal south-facing slopes. For anyone visiting Valais, tasting Petite Arvine is non-negotiable — it is the region's most original contribution to world wine.

Top-Rated Petite Arvine Producers