Pierre Elie Carron Completer Mazembroz AOC Valais 2021

This Completer was born in Fully, in Valais, a small town crossed by the Rhône where terraced vines are anchored in old granite rocks. Pierre Elie Carron farms eight hectares there, spread over some thirty plots and around ten grape varieties. The Mazembroz plot, facing south-south-east, was planted in 2017 and 2018. Its deep but stony soil is an alluvial fan composed mainly of gneiss with a few limestone elements. Completer, also called Malanser, is an extremely rare indigenous grape variety.

The grapes are whole-bunch pressed. Part of the alcoholic fermentation takes place directly in barrel, and the wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation, in order to retain its liveliness. It is then aged for twelve months in oak barrels. The cuvée blends three barrels: one new, one second-fill and one fifth-fill. This oak, still very present in the wine's youth, is set to blend in over the years of cellaring.

This wine reveals notes of toast, roasted coffee, fresh butter, cream, lemon, quince, ripe apple and honey. The rather delicate nose combines toasty and creamy touches from the ageing with discreet fruit. On the palate, the attack is supple, then the grape's acidity takes over from the mid-palate, bringing lovely lemony tension through to a persistent finish.

Switzerland, a country known for its majestic mountains and shimmering lakes, also boasts a rich and diverse winemaking heritage. While less famous than its French or Italian neighbors, Swiss viticulture enjoys an excellent reputation thanks to the exceptional quality of its wines. Swiss vineyards are primarily located in the regions of Vaud, Valais, Geneva, Neuchâtel, and Ticino, each offering unique climatic conditions and soils that lend themselves to the cultivation of distinct grape varieties. Valais is the largest wine-growing region in Switzerland, renowned for its aromatic white wines such as Fendant, made from Chasselas grapes, and for powerful reds like Cornalin and Humagne Rouge. The region's dry, sunny climate, combined with schist and granite soils, creates ideal conditions for these grape varieties. The Vaud region, particularly around Lake Geneva, is renowned for its elegant white wines, notably the Lavaux wines, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These terraced vineyards offer not only wines of great finesse but also spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Geneva, while smaller in terms of wine production, is dynamic and innovative, producing a variety of wines ranging from classic Chasselas and Gamay to experiments with international grape varieties. Ticino, close to Italy, is dominated by Merlot, which is vinified there as both red and white (Merlot Blanc is vinified without contact with the grape skins). The mild climate and clay-limestone soils give these wines remarkable structure and complexity. Neuchâtel excels in the production of white wines, particularly its Chasselas, but is also known for its Œil-de-Perdrix, a delicate and highly regarded rosé. Swiss wines, often produced in small quantities but with meticulous attention to detail, are primarily consumed locally or exported in small amounts, making them hidden gems for connoisseurs and wine lovers worldwide. Switzerland is a country where tradition and innovation meet in the vineyards, offering an authentic and high-quality wine experience.