The white grape variety originates from the border region Italy/Switzerland. Synonyms are Arvena, Arvin, Arvina, Arvinaz, Arvine Bonne, Arvine Mauvaise, Arvine Petite and Petite Arvine. The name possibly refers to the fact that the vine supposedly once reached Switzerland via the Savoyard Arve Valley. The variety was first mentioned in 1602 in Sitten (Sion) in the Swiss canton of Valais. From the end of the 19th century, it was called Arvine Petite to distinguish it from the closely related Arvine Grande. DNA analyses carried out in 2003 by the Swiss biologist Dr José Vouillamoz established a descent from the Rèze variety for both. Presumptions of a relationship with the Silvaner (with the synonyms Arvine and Arvine Grande) thus turned out to be wrong. There are no connections to the varieties Gaglioppo (synonym Arvino Nero) or Verdeca (synonym Alvino Verde). The parentage, however, is unknown. In Switzerland, Arvine is counted in the grape variety group Alte Gewächse.
The late-maturing, high-yielding vine is susceptible to botrytis, downy mildew and mites. It produces powerful, fragrant white wines with acidic aromas of lime and pineapple and a salty tone typical of the variety. These are made from dried grapes in the style of a flétri. There are stocks in the Swiss canton of Valais (178 ha) and in the neighbouring Italian Aosta Valley (14 ha). In 2016, 192 hectares of vines were designated (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
