Rèze

Rèze is a white grape variety that is indigenous to the Valais region in Switzerland. It is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world, with historical records dating back to the 13th century. Despite its long history, Rèze is now a rare variety, with only a few hectares of vineyards remaining in the Valais region.

History

The first written records of Rèze date back to 1313, in the archives of the Abbey of Saint-Maurice. The grape was once widely cultivated in the Valais region, but its popularity declined in the 19th century due to the phylloxera epidemic and the introduction of new grape varieties. Today, Rèze is considered a heritage variety and efforts are being made to preserve and promote its cultivation.

Viticulture and winemaking

Rèze is a late-ripening variety that requires a long growing season to fully develop its flavors. It is also susceptible to various vine diseases, which makes it a challenging grape to cultivate. Despite these difficulties, Rèze produces high-quality wines with a distinctive character.

The wines made from Rèze are typically dry and light-bodied, with high acidity and pronounced mineral notes. They often have aromas and flavors of green apple, lemon, and flint, with a slight bitterness on the finish.

Food pairing

Rèze wines are versatile and can be paired with a variety of dishes. They are particularly well-suited to seafood, poultry, and light pasta dishes. The high acidity and mineral character of Rèze wines also make them a good match for Swiss cheese fondue and raclette.

See also

• Swiss wine
• Valais (wine region)
• List of grape varieties