Heida

Discover Heida white wine at Ritschard Weine: an old grape variety with a unique character

The history of the Heida grape variety

The Heida vine, also known as Païen, is one of the ancient varieties that originated from mutations and random crosses and are the ancestors of today's noble varieties. This white grape variety found its way into the Rhone Valley in the Middle Ages and was first mentioned in the 16th century in Valais, although it was probably cultivated in the region much earlier. On the sunny, steep slopes of the Vispertal, on terraced vineyards with dry stone walls at altitudes between 600 and 1,150 metres, the Heida grape found ideal conditions. This variety is also cultivated in the Lower Valais, where it is often called Païen.

The unique characteristics of Heida

The Heida grape variety, a true rarity and a pearl among Alpine wines, is characterised by aromas of dry rye bread and citrus fruits. The wine is characterised by a lovely length on the palate, a lively freshness and a full body. Due to the low yields and the laborious cultivation at high altitudes, the price of the wine is higher. To enjoy the full aroma, a drinking temperature of 8 to 10 degrees Celsius is recommended, especially in combination with mushroom dishes and cheese.

Heida wines: a discovery for the wine connoisseur

Heida wines, Valais AOC-certified white wines made from the Savagnin blanc grape, impress with their luscious, straw-yellow colour and their pronounced exotic fruitiness. Although Heida is mainly aged dry, the grape is also excellent for making sweet wine. These wines go particularly well with mature alp cheese, sliced meat or strong meat terrines. In addition, Heida wine is not only appreciated for its taste, but also for its special properties, including its ability to give connoisseurs a feeling of happiness and contentment.

White wines from the Heida grape variety

In good years, Heida wines can reach an impressive 100 degrees on the Oechsle scale, which highlights their particular ripeness and quality. The wine is characterised by its luscious, straw-yellow colour and full body. Its bouquet is exceptionally fine and complex, with aromas of citrus and exotic fruits, honey and nuts.

On the palate, Heida combines a full-bodied vinosity with a lively freshness and a harmonious structure that fades away into a long-lasting finish. Interestingly, Gewürztraminer is a mutation of the Heida grape variety, which illustrates the close relationship and special quality of these wines.

Buy Heida wines online

The Heida grape variety, also known as Païen, is a white grape variety well known in the Lower Valais. It comes from the French Jura and has made a name for itself among wine connoisseurs for its wild, rustic aromas. Vin Jaune, an oxidative wine with similarities to sherry, is made from Heida vines in the Jura. The price of these wines is higher due to the low yields and the arduous cultivation at high altitudes. You can find and order Heida wines online in our shopping basket.

Frequently asked questions and their answers about Heida wine

Is Heida a grape variety?

The white Heida grape variety, originally cultivated only on the steep slopes of Visperterminen at altitudes of up to 1100 metres, where it makes optimal use of the warm foehn winds, later experienced a remarkable upswing in the French-speaking part of the Valais. Heida is the name given to the white wine made from the Savagnin Blanc grape variety in the Valais. This grape variety has its origins in the French Jura, where it is best known for the Vin Jaune, a wine with a taste similar to sherry and a special winemaking technique.

What does Heida taste like?

Light and aromatic, with a rustic, wild touch, this wine develops aromas of dry rye bread, dried fruit, citrus and exotic fruits. It offers a pleasant length that harmoniously combines vinosity, lively freshness and a full body. With a balanced acidity, it tastes excellent both young and after several years of storage.

Where does the name Heida come from?

In the German spoken in the canton of Valais, ‘Heida’ means something like ‘original’ or ‘ancient’, often also in the sense of ‘pre-Christian’ or ‘from pagan times’.

What goes well with Heida wine?

Heida harmonises perfectly with mature cheese, fish tartare, white meat and grilled fish. The dry version is also perfect as an aperitif.

Which Heida is the best?

Our recommendation: Heida – the Pearl of the Alps. This white wine, often affectionately referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Alpine Wines’, impresses with its full body, harmonious freshness and aromas of nuts, honey and exotic fruits.