The Wine Reference🍷 SupportPetite Arvine grape
Petite Arvine is a white grape known for grapefruit, saline, floral. Its best-known homes are Valais, Aosta Valley.
Origin and history
A native of Switzerland's Valais, documented there since the early 17th century; its exact parentage remains unknown.
Where it grows
Valais in Switzerland (especially around Fully, Chamoson and Sion) and Italy's Aosta Valley (Valle d'Aosta DOC).
Structure
Medium to full body, high acidity and ample alcohol; dry, or sweet when made from late-harvested or dried grapes.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: grapefruit, rhubarb, white flowers, wisteria and a distinctive salty finish. With age: honey, quince, candied citrus and nutty notes.
Ageing
Dry wines 3–8 years; sweet styles can last 15 years or more.
Also known as
Arvine.
Good to know
Its trademark saline finish makes it a classic match for Alpine cheeses; the village of Fully is regarded as its spiritual home.
Petite Arvine wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Les Crêtes Petite Arvine
Aosta Valley · Valle d'Aosta · Petite Arvine
Alpine white: grapefruit, rhubarb and a salty, mineral bite.
Food: Trout, fontina cheese, risotto
Similar white grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
The Wine Reference newsletter
New wines, stories and career guides, one email a week at most.
Over 18s only. Unsubscribe any time with one click. Your email is stored securely by Kit and never shared.
Support The Wine Reference
This guide is free, with no paywall. If it helped you choose a bottle, you can buy me a glass and keep it growing.
🍷 Buy me a glass