A Unique “Sense of Place” for Swiss Wine

As we often talk about here at Prost, wines are influenced by their terroir (pronounced tare-WAHR), which is the “sense of place” in wine, representing how the natural environment – soil, climate, and topography – shapes a wine’s unique character, flavor and aroma. It’s the holistic combination of factors such as soil composition, sunshine and altitude. 

A particularly interesting and beautiful “sense of place” in Switzerland are natural amphitheaters – steep curved slopes between two walls with levels of terraces on which the grapes are grown. Primarily found in the steep, sun-drenched, bowl-shaped slopes of the Valais region, these sites create a unique microclimate using stone walls and sun reflections to produce high-quality wines. Access is difficult, which means that all work must be done manually. These are vineyards of hard work and passion, where each plot is conquered with considerable physical effort.

Perhaps the most famous of these amphitheaters is the legendary La Combe d’Enfer (the Valley of Hell) – a spectacular and formidable place: a natural amphitheater enclosed between two steep walls that capture extreme heat – up to 104°F in summer, which explains its evocative name. 

If you’ve enjoyed a Prost member tasting (or two), you’ve likely sipped wine from Cave des Amandiers, Vin d’oeuvre and Marie-Thérèse Chappaz, three winemakers that grow grapes in these amazing geological structures in Valais.

Because of the significant difference in maturity between the left side (facing west) and the right side (facing east), there is a great benefit from almost opposite orientations: the right side is very hot and arid, with poor soil; this contrasts sharply with the left side, which faces east and is cooler and has richer soil. The microclimate also plays an essential role. The heat accumulated during the day and released at night creates a hot, dry environment.

“It is a terroir on which we grow a few grape varieties, including the very unpredictable Cornalin, which yields a harvest only every other year, more or less,” explains Alexandre Deletraz, founder/owner of Cave des Amandiers. “But when it does, it can produce wines of remarkable uniqueness.”  

Try a bottle from these amazing structures and taste their unique “sense of place!”