Definition: amigne

This grape variety is the star of Vétroz. In the Valais wine-growing commune of Vétroz, Amigne is a star. Here's why winegrowers cherish this white grape variety and what makes it so unique. Let's set the scene: compared to the grandiose landscapes of some of the world's famous vineyards, Vétroz has only a tiny 174-hectare stage. White grape varieties, mainly Chasselas, occupy 59% of the terroir, but it is not this actor that has made Vétroz famous. The commune owes its renown to a supporting role. Over the years, it has ended up overshadowing the leading roles and has reaped the most coveted awards, hailed like a big screen star. The winegrowers – let's call them the 'directors' in this story – are not complaining. On the contrary, they pamper it like a diva, granting it more rights and feeding off its glory. All this drama is thanks to Amigne. This indigenous grape variety, long thought to be a descendant of the ancient Vitis Aminea variety, seemed to bear a resemblance to the Italian grape varieties Trebbiano and Greco di Tufo. But no, recent DNA analyses by biologist José Vouillamoz have revealed that Amigne is unique, with no known relationship to any other grape variety. Worldwide, it is planted on only 40 hectares, exclusively in Valais, and Vétroz can be considered its true home, as 75% of its production comes from this commune. In Vétroz, on the best plots, it grows on black schist, glacial moraines and alluvial soils which, thanks to a high proportion of pebbles, provide excellent heat reserves. Amigne also has a few quirks, as befits a diva, such as its high sensitivity to coulure and millerandage, and its exclusive requirements in terms of location. But this has not prevented the winegrowers of Vétroz from falling in love with this variety and doubling its area under cultivation in 15 years. Its great versatility makes it particularly exciting, as it can be used to produce dry, sweet and syrupy wines. Most winegrowers forego malolactic fermentation, as it always has a lot of roundness and smoothness – with a special hint of tannins. It ages well in wood and is very suitable for cellaring.
The "makers": Vétroz has 17 winemakers who are members of the Groupement des Encaveurs de Vétroz, all of whom are devotees of Amigne. In addition to a walk dedicated to Amigne in the vineyard, they organise the Fête de la Fleur d'Amigne every year. The production of Amigne grand cru de Vétroz is subject to precise specifications. The mandatory declaration of sugar content is unusual: one bee means a dry wine, two bees a sweet wine, and three bees a sweet wine.
The Amigne Flower Festival takes place every year on a Friday and Saturday, usually at the beginning of June. Location: Vétroz, Place du Four. Activities: tasting stands, on-site catering (wine-themed menu created by three young European restaurateurs), various entertainment (jazz concert), with two foreign regions invited: AOC Pommard, Burgundy in 2007. Admission: CHF 25, including a tasting glass.
The "producers"
Cave Jean-René Germanier SA, Jean-René Germanier and Gilles Besse; Les Fils Maye SA, Charles-Albert Fumeaux; Cave La Madeleine, André Fontannaz; Cave Les Ruinettes, Serge Roh; Cave Chantevigne, Raphaël Vergère; Cave La Régence Balavaud, Pierre Clavien; Cave du Vieux-Moulin, Romain Papilloud; Cave Hubert Germanier, Didier Germanier; Cave La Tine, Hervé Fontannaz; Les Celliers de Vétroz, Fontannaz family; Cave des Deux Rives, Claude Fournier et Fils SA; Cave Réserve des Amis, Régine Penon-Guex; Domaine Thierry Constantin; Cave des Tilleuls, Fabienne Cottagnoud; Cave Labuthe, Philippe Buthet; Cave Montparnasse, Paul Évéquoz (2007).
A "reward" for Amigne:
During the 2007 edition, a competition for Amigne de Vétroz wines was organised for the first time, under the direction of Vinea and as part of the tastings for the Mondial du Pinot Noir.
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