Serge Roh Petite Arvine de Vetroz Les Ruinettes...$35.99
Citrus notes (grapefruit zest) characterize this very dry and full-bodied white wine which carries a persistent acidity and elegant fruit. The Petite Arvine is an ancient local grape, introduced by the Romans, that is found in the Valais and also on the other side of the Alpine mountains in the Valle d’Aosta of Italy. It is obviously a grape that flourishes in the high altitude zones of the Alps.
The Roh family has assembled an impressive selection of vineyards and cepages, almost all of which are situated within the confines of Vétroz and Conthey....The white grapes are planted on the steep hillsides, most of which are formed into terraces, with a full south exposure. The soil is composed of schist and glacial moraine. All work is done by hand since the extreme slopes of this magnificent valley do not permit any mechanization...The bulk of the vineyards are quite old, with the average age of the vines being 35 years (as of 2011).
Cave du Vieux-Moulin Amandoleyre Fendant Grand Cru...$33.99
Fendant, also known as Chasselas, is grown high up on the slopes of the Alps and produces a refreshing wine of fine structure with a stony minerality. The Amandoleyre vineyard takes its name from the almond trees that were once planted here. The wine from this prime site within Vétroz is declared a “Grand Cru”."Romain took the reins from his parents Odette and Leon in 1986, marking the domaine’s third generation of stewardship under the Papilloud name. Aided by his wife, Gladys, and Vincent, their son, Romain cultivates four hectares of vines, with the majority located in Vétroz, supplemented with smaller holdings in the neighboring villages of Conthey and Ardon, all centered in the heart of the Valais. The steep slopes of the vineyards require intense manual labor throughout the growing season and through the harvest, which fits in nicely with the minimal-intervention approach to the entire production at the estate."
