19th edition of the Valais Wine Selection: More wines awarded gold

Press release Swiss Wine Valais, 22 September 2025

Around thirty tasters evaluated 837 samples from the last three vintages, produced by 118 producers. Compared to the previous edition, the scores are up. 18.5% of the wines obtained the points for a gold medal, compared to 12% last year.

This edition stands out for its high number of gold medals, 155 compared to 102 last year, representing an increase of 52%. 85 out of 118 producers won a gold or silver medal for one or more of their wines. With two-thirds of the samples coming from the latest vintage, the results are a good indicator of the quality of wines available on the market.

The tasters invited to judge the 837 wines in competition were pleasantly surprised by the standard of this 19th edition. "The 2024 vintage was rather complicated in the vineyard. In the glass, it produced lively, finely crafted wines, very much in line with current demand. I fell in love with a rosé with an irresistible crispness and was impressed by the Heida wines with their impressive maturity and typical characteristics," notes wine specialist Marie Linder.

Lise Donier Meroz, voted ‘Young Sommelier of Switzerland 2026’ by Gault & Millau, also made some wonderful discoveries. "The whites are wonderfully fresh and lively, while the reds are delicate and airy. On the wine list at our gourmet restaurant in Savièse, 60% of the wines are from Valais. The discoveries I made during the competition are a source of inspiration."

Michel Blanc, director of projects and development for Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, was participating in the competition for the second time. ‘I appreciate the professionalism of the organisation. Valais wines offer beautiful aromatic ranges, lovely fruit, vitality and beautiful acidity. I was delighted to rediscover Cornalin, a very balanced wine with elegant tannins, as well as late harvest Pinot Gris.’

Ampelologist José Vouillamoz, also a member of the tasting jury, points out that every medal awarded is well deserved: "The medals of the Valais Wine Selection are a guarantee of quality. This is a serious competition, organised according to the rules of the art by Swiss Wine Valais in collaboration with Vinea, which calls on tasters recognised for their expertise. "

The Valais Wine Selection not only allows winegrowers and winemakers to obtain visible recognition that they can promote to consumers, but also to benefit from an interesting showcase throughout the year. Swiss Wine Valais selects the wines that will represent the excellence of Valais in promotional campaigns in Switzerland and abroad from among the competition's medal winners.

The Valais Wine Selection has been the benchmark competition for AOC Valais wines for nearly twenty years. The patronage of the Swiss Union of Oenologists (USOE) guarantees the reliability of the results and the quality of the award-winning wines. The competition is chaired by Nadine Bridy, head of the Office of Vine and Wine and cantonal oenologist, and organised by Swiss Wine Valais in collaboration with the Vinea association. Over three days, 35 tasters renowned for their knowledge of wine (oenologists, wine merchants, sommeliers, specialist journalists and amateur members of tasting groups) evaluate the wines blind, noting their qualities and ageing potential.

The wines in competition are divided into 17 categories: Fendant, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Heida/Païen, Other white wines, Single-varietal white wines (+4g/l), Sweet white wines (+70g/l), Pinot Noir, Gamay, Syrah, Humagne Rouge, Cornalin, Dôle, Merlot, Rosé and Dôles Blanches, Sparkling wines, Older vintages. Introduced for the first time this year, the ‘Old vintages’ category (2015-2021) won 70% of the medals, proving the ageing potential of Valais wines.

• 2022: 623 samples, 94 producers = 85 GOLD – 99 SILVER

• 2023: 899 samples, 117 producers = 141 GOLD – 121 SILVER

• 2024: 854 samples, 111 producers = 102 GOLD – 165 SILVER

• 2025: 837 samples, 118 producers = 155 GOLD – 97 SILVER

Gold Medal: average score of 89 points or above

Silver Medal: average score between 85 and 88.8 points

subject to 30% of wines receiving medals according to international standards.

The eight highest scores in the Fendant, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Heida, Dôle, Humagne Rouge, Cornalin and Syrah categories become the Etoiles du Valais. Winners will be announced on 26 November 2025.