Gamaret
Valaisian red wine with silky tannins, granitic terroir of Fully
The potential of Fully's warm terroir
Cave du Bonheur's Gamaret benefits from the exceptional warmth of Fully's terroir, among the sunniest in Switzerland. The granitic soil brings a mineral structure that balances the grape's richness and gives it an elegance rare for a Valaisian red.
A 100% Swiss grape
Gamaret was born in 1970 at the Swiss Federal Research Station of Changins, near Nyon in the canton of Vaud. Its creator André Jaquinet crossed Gamay Noir with Reichensteiner to obtain a variety with better disease resistance — particularly against grey rot — and increased colour intensity. Varietal protection was granted around 1990–1991, when the grape was officially released onto the market.
Originally conceived as a blending grape to deepen the colour of Gamay and Pinot Noir wines, Gamaret quickly revealed its own potential as a single-variety wine. On Valais's warmest terroirs — particularly the gneiss soils of Fully — it develops a structure and complexity that make it a fully-fledged gastronomic red.
What sets it apart from other Valaisian reds
Compared to Pinot Noir — a Burgundian variety with elegant structure and a garnet robe — Gamaret asserts itself with a deep purple colour with violet reflections, greater richness in anthocyanins and a more assertive spiced dark-fruit profile. Against Syrah, a Rhône variety marked by black pepper, Gamaret offers a more openly fruity expression (blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry) with structured tannins and genuine ageing potential. It is one of the very few high-quality red varieties of entirely Swiss origin.
Tasting notes
On the nose, ripe dark fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), gentle spices and a slight touch of liquorice. On the palate, silky, well-integrated tannins, a beautiful structure and a long, persistent finish. A gastronomic red that stands apart from mass-produced wines.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gamaret?
Gamaret is a Swiss red grape variety created by the Agroscope research station in Changins. A cross between Gamay and Reichensteiner, it produces deeply colored wines with silky tannins. In Fully, on granitic terroir, it expresses remarkable aromatic potential and structure.
What foods pair with Gamaret?
Gamaret pairs excellently with red meats (ribeye, leg of lamb), game, strong cheeses (raclette, aged Gruyère) and braised dishes. Its tannic structure and aromatic richness make it an ideal companion for gastronomic meals.
How was Gamaret created?
Gamaret is a Swiss grape born in 1970 at the Federal Research Station of Changins (Vaud), by crossing Gamay Noir with Reichensteiner. Its creator André Jaquinet sought to combine Gamay's light fruitiness with better disease resistance and superior colour intensity. Varietal protection was granted around 1990–1991.
Does Gamaret age well?
Yes. Thanks to its robust tannin structure and anthocyanin richness, Gamaret has genuine ageing potential. INRAE (PlantGrape) explicitly describes it as a variety 'suited to ageing'. On the granitic terroir of Fully, it develops a complexity that blossoms with a few years in the cellar.
How does Gamaret differ from Pinot Noir?
Gamaret is a variety of Swiss origin (Gamay × Reichensteiner cross), while Pinot Noir is a Burgundian grape. In the glass, Gamaret stands out with a deep purple robe with violet reflections (versus Pinot Noir's garnet), more pronounced dark fruit aromas (blackberry, blackcurrant), more structured tannins and better disease resistance. Pinot Noir typically offers greater mineral elegance and finesse.