The key characteristic is that the Pouliko de Pinot Gris is an Orange Wine. This means it is made from white grapes (Pinot Gris/Grauburgunder) where the grape juice is left in contact with the skins during fermentation, similar to how red wine is made. This skin contact gives it a deeper color (often an intense salmon or garnet hue) and a richer, more complex flavor profile with some tannin structure.
Color: Described as an intense salmon or garnet color.
Aroma/Nose: Intense aromas of berries, marzipan, a slight spiciness, a floral touch, and sometimes notes of salted caramel.
Palate/Mouthfeel: Said to be well-structured, juicy (sapid), with a long finish. The skin contact creates phenols(tannins) on the palate, adding complexity. It is often described as surprising and an exciting food companion.
Vinification: Typically unfiltered, and for the 2023 vintage, it spent 5 months in used oak barrels.
Alcohol: Around 13% vol.
Location: The farm is located on the heights of Saxon in the Valais region of Switzerland. The wine holds a Valais AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) designation.
Winemaker: Ilona Hunkeler (sometimes working with Alain Bizard & Denis Sauthier).
Philosophy: Ô Fâya Farm is a certified organic (Bio Suisse) and Natural Wine producer. They aim for authentic wines made with as few inputs as possible ("the strict minimum—if at all—of additives," and often no or little sulfur).
The Name: The name "Ô Fâya" comes from the local Valaisan dialect (Patois) and means "sheep." The sheep are integral to the farm, helping with organic soil management and biodiversity.
The Pouliko Name: "Pouliko" is mentioned as meaning "coq" (rooster) in the local Patois.
Orange wines are known to be excellent food-pairing wines because they offer the freshness of white wine with the structure of red wine.
It is suggested as an exciting food companion due to its length and complexity.
The key characteristic is that the Pouliko de Pinot Gris is an Orange Wine. This means it is made from white grapes (Pinot Gris/Grauburgunder) where the grape juice is left in contact with the skins during fermentation, similar to how red wine is made. This skin contact gives it a deeper color (often an intense salmon or garnet hue) and a richer, more complex flavor profile with some tannin structure.
Color: Described as an intense salmon or garnet color.
Aroma/Nose: Intense aromas of berries, marzipan, a slight spiciness, a floral touch, and sometimes notes of salted caramel.
Palate/Mouthfeel: Said to be well-structured, juicy (sapid), with a long finish. The skin contact creates phenols(tannins) on the palate, adding complexity. It is often described as surprising and an exciting food companion.
Vinification: Typically unfiltered, and for the 2023 vintage, it spent 5 months in used oak barrels.
Alcohol: Around 13% vol.
Location: The farm is located on the heights of Saxon in the Valais region of Switzerland. The wine holds a Valais AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) designation.
Winemaker: Ilona Hunkeler (sometimes working with Alain Bizard & Denis Sauthier).
Philosophy: Ô Fâya Farm is a certified organic (Bio Suisse) and Natural Wine producer. They aim for authentic wines made with as few inputs as possible ("the strict minimum—if at all—of additives," and often no or little sulfur).
The Name: The name "Ô Fâya" comes from the local Valaisan dialect (Patois) and means "sheep." The sheep are integral to the farm, helping with organic soil management and biodiversity.
The Pouliko Name: "Pouliko" is mentioned as meaning "coq" (rooster) in the local Patois.
Orange wines are known to be excellent food-pairing wines because they offer the freshness of white wine with the structure of red wine.
It is suggested as an exciting food companion due to its length and complexity.
