Meet our winemakers...
ludovic zermatten
Winery founder Ludovic Zermatten is a much-touted winemaker whose wine is in great demand. Having studied at Changins, the Swiss wine university, and completing several internships, Ludovic directed the Corbassière Winery in Saillon from 2003 to 2011 and Renaissance Vins from 2013 to 2018. Upon departing Renaissance Vins, he created his own line of wines under the brand Z-Selection. The best of the best, this is a niche, high-end production of special local wines from the best vineyards, following the traditional winemaking process of the authentic Swiss wines of the Valais region, and sold primarily to restaurants. (The business model, he explains, is what you do when you come from a non-wine family and start up a business on your own. A new winery doesn’t come with ready-made private clients.)
The elusive winemaker
In the beginning (2019), what he lacked in a client list he made up for through his training and oenology talent as well as a background in communications that is evident in the wines he produces – most of which are referred to as “limited edition works.” An early first solo wine, before he created his cellar, is Nariz del Diablo, made in 2015. It is spectacular 10 years later, but there remains just one bottle, safely stowed in his private cellar. It’s a hint of his creativity – his Big Z wines are one-of-a-kind, and once gone, won’t be made again. His early wines include Merlots and Petite Arvines, two grape varieties that his winery features today.
Creative Blends
Currently Ludovic produces two lines of Z Selection wines, with the high-end wine simply labelled “Z” wines. Blends are one of his creative outlets and reducing the overall number of wines to focus more on these is part of a current project. For example, his Grand Becca white, named after a nearby mountain, is a blend of Petite Arvine made in oak with Petite Arvine in stainless steels tanks and Arvine from the other side of the Alps, the Val d’Aosta in Italy.
A love for Travel
Some of the wine fantasy names reflect his love for travel, especially in South America. The wines reflect his larger eclectic appreciation for both the refined and the unusual.
our hand-selected white wines
from
ludovic zermatten
Bulles de Sophie, vin du pays
Wine profile
A very chic easy to drink sparkling wine, the favorite drink of his partner, who’s in the hotel/restaurant business in Zermatt. Made for her, this is light and fruity with a pleasing hint of
sweetness.
Cultivation and vinification
Prosecco style
Food pairing
On its own, aperitif, light foods.
Gran Becca blanc
Wine profile
A Petite Arvine majority blend of great elegance, designed for gastronomy, to accompany sophisticated dishes. Always with the sunny richness Valais gives this grape, and the tautness for which it is known, here with added depth.
Cultivation and vinification
Matured in oak barrels.
Food pairing
With all fine foods, especially fish and white meats.
Fendant
Wine profile
Far more character than is usually found in a Fendant. Lovely light gold color. Nose: clean fruit and floral notes, fresh silica mineral with lemon and lime, then pear. Slight touch of carbonation.
Cultivation and vinification
The vines are in Sierre on slopes with loess soils. Drought and warm summers recently have pushed the harvest time forward, to avoid too much sugar and too high an alcohol content, but the well-ripened grapes have added personality. Hand-picked, slow pressing. Fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks.
Food pairing
A Fendant with enough character to happily accompany meals, especially cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette, but also shrimp and seafood or cold cuts such as Valais dried meats.
Petite Arvine
Wine profile
Beautiful golden color and a complex nose that goes beyond the classic rhubarb or gooseberry – peach and white peach notes, with quince in older vintage wines. A long finish and it only improves after the bottle is open for a while, making it perfect to accompany a meal.
Cultivation and vinification
Fermented in stainless steel, no racking, passage in oak barrels.
Food pairing
This is a gastronomy wine, intended for meals and not as an aperitif. Will work well with a good variety of rich seafood, fish and cheese or other dairy product dishes.
our hand-selected red wines
from
ludovic zermatten
Pi No.
Wine profile
Cleverly named “π No.”
A luxurious and big oaked Pinot Noir from grapes grown in Ludovic Zermatten’s home village of St. Severin, on the slopes above Conthey. This is a complex yet delicate well-structured wine that shows Pinot Noir at its best.
Cultivation and vinification
The limestone soil is rich in minerals, providing complexity. Aged in oak barrels.
Food pairing
The beauty of such a well-made Pinot is its versatility with food. This works with hors d’oeuvres, well-flavored meats and sauces, game, as well as lighter elegant dishes.
Cornalin
Wine profile
Bright, dry, fruity with classic notes of cherry for which this Valais star grape is known. Well-balanced.
Cultivation and vinification
Made in stainless steels tanks.
Food pairing
Good with cheeses and red meats, versatile.
Cornalin Z
Wine profile
The oaked version of this beautiful Valais grape, with good complexity, cherries and some tobacco.
Cultivation and vinification
Matured two years in oak barrels.
Food pairing
Works well with cheeses and meats.
