Assemblage Blanc 2023 Domaine Marie-Thérèse Chappaz

Tasting Note

Aromas of white peach, quince, and light hints of grapefruit peel. Behind them lie salty nuances, almost reminiscent of a sea breeze, which are so characteristic of the valley’s white wines. On the palate, the wine is more textural than oily, with a herbaceous freshness (reminiscent of lime blossoms and alpine flowers) typical of wines grown using biodynamic farming methods. The acidity prolongs the finish, and the full-bodied flavor with its pronounced minerality is so inviting that you’ll want to take another sip. The wine can be enjoyed immediately after opening, but the Assemblage Blanc 2023 will reveal its true potential if aged in the bottle for about two years.

Cellaring Potential

Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2036. The acidity and concentration characteristic of this wine stem from the steep, low-yielding slopes of Chappaz, which give it a robust structure. Store in a dark place at a temperature of 12–14 °C, keeping the bottle lying horizontally. As it ages, the initial fruity notes, reminiscent of an orchard, will evolve into aromas of honey and dried herbs, and the texture will become smoother, reminiscent of wax.

About Domaine Marie-Thérèse Chappaz

Marie-Thérèse Chapaz inherited the family estate in 1987. At that time, Swiss wines were virtually unknown abroad. Instead of becoming a midwife, as she had originally planned, she chose the path of a winemaker and expanded the estate—located in the territories of Fully, Charrat, Leytron, and Chamoson—from 1.5 to 10 hectares. From the very beginning, she practiced biodynamic farming methods and obtained Demeter certification. In addition, she is one of the founders of the association “Les Artisanes de la Vigne et du Vin.” Since there are virtually no other producers in Switzerland who approach winemaking with such scale and rigor, our store has included her wines in its selection.

Terroir & Climate

The central part of the estate is located above Fully, on the bend of the Rhône River. Granite soils are interspersed with yellow loam, and the annual sunshine duration exceeds 2,000 hours. The Föhn (a warm, dry wind blowing from the Alps) quickly dries the grapes after rain, reducing the risk of disease. Chappaz practices biodynamic farming even on plots where horses are used for work, as well as on slopes so steep that they can only be reached by a monorail. It is precisely this combination of granite and altitude that gives the wine its salinity and minerality, which form its foundation.

Winemaking

Chappaz approaches winemaking with the same philosophy as he does vineyard management: intervention is kept to a minimum. Natural yeasts are used, with no pH adjustments made and no shortcuts taken. “Assemblage Blanc” is fermented and aged with the aim of fully revealing the individual character of each plot and each variety; therefore, what is most strongly felt in this wine is not so much technique as terroir. Thanks to biodynamic farming, the grapes are grown without unnecessary intervention. The bottled wine is pure and natural, and it is precisely this naturalness that lies at the heart of this wine.

Food Pairing

Thanks to its salinity and acidity, this wine is better suited for pairing with food than as an aperitif. Try pairing it with the following dishes:

• Raclette or young Gruyère cheese. A classic pairing in the canton of Valais
• River trout pan-seared with brown butter and almonds
• Chicken with lemon and herbs
• If you’re looking for a slightly unusual pairing, try Vietnamese-style summer rolls

Serve at 10–12 °C. Decanting is not necessary, but open the bottle 15 minutes before serving.