This red grape variety originates from the border region between Switzerland and Italy. Synonyms are Bailloz, Blue Savoy Grape, Cornalin, Cornalin du Valais, Hell Wine, Landroter, Rouge du Valais Vin d'Enfer. Already in 1903, the French ampelographer Adrien Berget suspected that the origin of the variety lies in the neighbouring Italian Aosta Valley. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2003, it originates from a presumably natural cross between the Aosta Valley varieties Petit Rouge x Mayolet. The variety is a parent of Cornalin (Cornalin d'Aoste, Humagne Rouge), which is often confused with it, as well as Goron de Bovernier, Neret di Saint-Vincent and Roussin. There is also a close relationship with the Vien de Nus variety. It arrived in Valais from the Aosta Valley a long time ago. It is one of the oldest varieties in Switzerland and has been cultivated here for centuries (it has disappeared in its country of origin). There, it is counted among the old-growth grape varieties.
From the middle of the 19th century, it was increasingly displaced by Pinot Noir and Gamay and was then almost extinct by the middle of the 20th century. From the 1970s it was revived and renamed Cornalin. This led to confusion with the variety Humagne Rouge alias Cornalin d'Aoste (today Cornalin). Today it is again called by the old name Rouge du Pays. The medium to late ripening vine is generally sensitive to diseases, but particularly susceptible to botrytis and powdery mildew. It yields velvety, slightly bitter-tasting red wines with diverse aromas of bird cherries, violets and raspberries. The variety is grown exclusively in the canton of Valais. In 2016, 136 hectares of vines were reported, with an upward trend (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
