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  • Johannisberg, between Riesling and Sylvaner

Johannisberg, between Riesling and Sylvaner

5 Johannisberg_MVV_Cépages_Leytron_Hofer_0258Johannisberg is mentioned for the first time in Valais in 1862, referring to a Riesling. Its name clearly comes from the Château Johannisberg in Rheingau, the world’s oldest Riesling domain. Le Blanc de Rhin appears at the same time and corresponds to Sylvaner. 

Popular usage reversed the names, starting in 1928, and the two grapes swapped identities. Specialists objected but in the end they were obliged to give in to the popular names. Since then, in Valais, Johannisberg has been used exclusively for the Silvaner (Rhin) grape.

Silvaner is the result of a long-ago natural crossing between Savagnin Blanc (known as Heida in Valais, Traminer in Tyrol) and an Austrian grape variety (Österreischisch Weiss).

Johannisberg from Valais has been protected since 1966. A surfeit of the wine led authorities to limit its production in 1985 and, since then, only grapes from the Rhin variety grown in a zoned area deemed most suitable have the right to use the name.

Sources: Histoire de la Vigne et du Vin en Valais, «Le renversement d’identité du Johannisberg: du Riesling au Silvaner»,  José Vouillamoz, ampelographer; «Trente ans de tribulations pour protéger les appellations Dôle, Johannisberg et Fendant», by Sabine Carruzzo historian.

Step into the memory of the Switzerland’s largest wine region! The information that you will find on these pages comes from the book "Histoire de la vigne et du vin en Valais, des origines à nos jours", a reference work that brings together the most recent scientific discoveries about the fine wines of Valais and their rich past.

Order the book

Musée du Vin - Rue Ste Catherine 6 - 3960 Sierre | tél. +41 27 456 35 25 | contact@museeduvin-valais.ch

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  • F
  • D
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  • Home
  • Exhibitions and Trail
    • Permanent exhibition
    • Current exhibition
    • Wine Trail
    • Past exhibitions
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  • Schools
  • The Museum
    • Presentation and mission
    • Collections
    • Historical
    • Organization
    • Infos pratiques
  • History of wine
    • From its origins to today
    • History of grape varieties
    • Did you know?
  • Support
  • Shop
  • Media
    • Documents for media
    • Archives
    • Press rewiew
  • Information