RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

The Grosse Arvine, also called Grande Arvine, Arvine Grande or even Arvine Gros Grain is a grape variety that has pentagonal leaves, its leaves can be bluish-green in older plants. Its clusters are medium in size, slightly larger than those of la Petite Arvine, the bunches are conical shaped and dense. The berries are yellow green, firm and juicy with a sweet and fruity taste, and a resistant skin. The flowering period is in June and the harvest is in October. The harvesting of the grapes is done manually and takes place in the middle of the harvest period. White wine is produced from this grape. Its aromas are rather complex with a full mouth feel and potency, presenting a nice acidity. It is possible to note aromas of pear, candied lemons with a hint of chalkiness.

The historic place of production of Grosse Arvine is in the canton of Valais: the area of Martigny – Fully – Saillon, with a probable origin in Martigny, in the vineyards of La Marque and Coquimpey. This grape variety was renowned in the 17th century as the one which produced the best Valais wines. Grosse Arvine is undoubtedly the result of a cross between Rèze and an unknown grape variety, which has probably disappeared today. La Petite Arvine is probably a ‘grandmother’ of Grosse Arvine who is a typical Valais orphan whose distant ancestors are on the side of Aosta Valley and neighboring France.

In the 19th century, Grosse Arvine was planted all over the region of Martigny – Almost everywhere, but today it has almost disappeared, this has occurred in a progressive manner, probably with the arrival of the Chasselas, a much more productive variety which ripens earlier. The last two vineyards of this grape variety, located in the wine growing region of Martigny, were uprooted in the 1990s. In 2008, there were only four known vines of Grosse Arvine!

Thanks to the safeguarding project carried out in 2008 by Olivier Pittet, winemaker and HES Engineer, around sixty individual plants were located either in the form of trellises in the walls or in vines mixed in with old vines of Petite Arvine. In 2012, a group of winegrowers-winemakers contacted Olivier Pittet with the aim of bringing Grosse Arvine back into the modern day. It is necessary to ensure the availability of quality plant material and the re-cultivation of Grosse Arvine with producers to guarantee its long-term safeguarding. The first year of harvest was 2014 which was followed by the first bottling and tasting in 2015. The product is therefore now available. It is currently cultivated by three winegrowers on approximately 1000 m2 and approximately 400 bottles are produced each year. The wine can be bought from the estate where it is grown.

(Courtesy of Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity – Ark of Taste) https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/grosse-arvine-grape/