Gamaret
Also known as: RAC 4805, Gara 5
Gamaret
Summary
Gamaret is Switzerland’s most successful indigenous red grape crossing, producing structured, deeply colored, age-worthy wines that have become a flagship for Swiss red wine quality. Created by Agroscope in 1970 and released in 1991, Gamaret is the structured sibling of Garanoir (both share the parentage of Gamay × Reichensteiner). With approximately 500 hectares planted almost exclusively in Switzerland, Gamaret offers Swiss winemakers a variety that can produce serious, cellar-worthy reds while providing moderate disease tolerance. Beyond its own wines, Gamaret has proven crucial as a parent variety: it is one parent of Divico, Switzerland’s innovative fully disease-resistant PIWI variety.
Identity
VIVC: Entry #17962
Berry Color: NOIR
Type: Vitis vinifera crossing (disease-tolerant, not full PIWI)
Breeding Number: RAC 4805 (Changins)
Creator: Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil (ACW), Switzerland
Year: 1970 (crossing); 1991 (commercial release)
Genetic Origin
Parentage: Gamay × Reichensteiner
Breaking down the parentage:
- Gamay: Beaujolais variety; provides fruit character, color
- Reichensteiner: German crossing (Müller-Thurgau × (Madeleine Angevine × Calabrese)) with disease tolerance
Sibling: Garanoir (same cross, different selection)
Offspring: Divico (Gamaret × Bronner)—Switzerland’s flagship PIWI red
Breeding Goal: Create quality red variety suited to Swiss climate with improved disease tolerance
Result: Gamaret selected for structure and aging potential; Garanoir for fruit and early drinking
The Gamaret-Garanoir Comparison
The two siblings were selected for different characteristics:
| Characteristic | Gamaret | Garanoir |
|---|---|---|
| Tannins | FIRM | Soft |
| Color | DEEP | Medium |
| Body | Medium-Full | Light-Medium |
| Aging | 5-15 years | 2-5 years |
| Style | Age-worthy, serious | Fruity, approachable |
| Role | Structure provider | Fruity component |
| Oak Affinity | High | Low |
Blending: Often blended together for balance
Distribution
Total Global Plantings: ~500 hectares
| Region | Hectares | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Valais (Switzerland) | ~250 | Primary region |
| Vaud (Switzerland) | ~150 | Significant |
| Geneva (Switzerland) | ~70 | Growing |
| Other Switzerland | ~30 | Various cantons |
Geographic Focus: Almost exclusively Swiss; minimal international interest
Viticulture
Growth Characteristics
- Vigor: Medium
- Growth Habit: Semi-erect
- Budbreak: Medium
- Flowering: Mid-season
- Véraison: Medium-late
- Harvest: Medium-late (October in Switzerland)
Disease Tolerance
| Disease | Tolerance Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downy Mildew | MODERATE | Better than traditional varieties |
| Powdery Mildew | MODERATE | Decent tolerance |
| Botrytis (Grey Rot) | GOOD | Notable resistance |
| Esca | Standard | No special resistance |
Note: Disease-tolerant, not fully resistant—requires some spray program
Spray Reduction: ~30-50% reduction vs. traditional varieties
Climate Requirements
- Ideal Climate: Cool continental (Swiss)
- Heat Summation: 1,200-1,600 GDD (base 10°C)
- Altitude: Performs well at 400-700m
- Late Ripening: Requires warm sites
The Swiss Terroir
Gamaret performs best in Switzerland’s premium sites:
- Valais: Alpine valley; warm, dry
- Vaud: Lake Geneva influence; moderate
- Geneva: Warmer; fuller wines
Soil Preferences
- Ideal: Well-drained, moderate fertility
- Traditional: Swiss vineyard soils (various)
- Effect: Soil influences expression
Viticultural Management
- Training: Guyot or cordon
- Pruning: Moderate bud load
- Yield Control: 6-10 tonnes/ha for quality
- Spray Program: Reduced but necessary
- Harvest: Full ripeness essential for tannin quality
Enology
Must Parameters at Harvest
| Parameter | Optimal Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brix | 22-25° | Good accumulation |
| pH | 3.4-3.7 | Moderate |
| Titratable Acidity | 5.0-6.5 g/L | Moderate |
| YAN | 180-250 mg/L | Generally adequate |
Phenolic Profile
- Anthocyanins: HIGH (excellent color)
- Total Tannins: HIGH (firm, age-worthy)
- Tannin Quality: Can be astringent if underripe
Aroma Compounds
- Character: Dark fruit, subtle earthiness
- Terpenes: Minor
- Expression: Terroir-driven
Fermentation
- Yeast Selection: Various; robust strains
- Temperature: 26-30°C
- Duration: 10-18 days
- Maceration: Extended (14-28 days)
- Cap Management: Regular punch-downs
Wine Styles
| Style | Method | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Standard maceration, barrique | Balanced, structured |
| Premium | Extended maceration, new oak | Age-worthy, complex |
| Blend | With Garanoir, Pinot Noir | Balanced assemblage |
Malolactic Fermentation
- Standard: Complete MLF
- Effect: Rounds tannins
- Timing: Post-alcoholic
Oak Aging
- Standard: 12-18 months in barriques
- New Oak: 20-60% (variety handles well)
- Type: French oak preferred
- Effect: Integrates tannins, adds complexity
Aging Potential
- Young: 3-5 years (approachable after 2-3)
- Premium: 8-15 years
- Best Examples: 15-20 years
Sensory Profile
Visual
- Intensity: DEEP (excellent color)
- Hue: Ruby-purple
- Aging: Develops garnet
Aromatic Profile
| Category | Descriptors |
|---|---|
| Fruit | Blackberry, black cherry, plum |
| Spice | Black pepper, subtle spice |
| Earth | Mineral, graphite |
| Oak | Vanilla, toast, cedar |
| Aged | Leather, tobacco |
Palate
- Body: Medium to full
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannins: FIRM (key characteristic)
- Alcohol: Moderate (12.5-14%)
- Finish: Long, structured
Winemaker Considerations
Challenges
- Tannin Management: Can be astringent if underripe
- Full Ripeness: Requires good sites
- Limited Market: Primarily Swiss interest
- Recognition: Unknown internationally
- Disease Program: Still needs some spraying
Opportunities
- Quality Potential: Serious, age-worthy wines
- Swiss Identity: Flagship indigenous red
- Blending Partner: Excellent with Garanoir, Pinot
- Climate Adaptation: Suits Swiss conditions
- PIWI Connection: Parent of Divico
Winemaking Tips
- Ensure full phenolic ripeness
- Extended maceration enhances structure
- Oak aging essential for quality expression
- Careful extraction—avoid over-tannining
- Blend with Garanoir for immediate approachability
Swiss Wine Context
Position in Swiss Viticulture
- Role: Premium Swiss red variety
- Quality Tier: Top tier with Pinot Noir
- Identity: Indigenous Swiss character
Typical Swiss Uses
- Varietal Gamaret: Premium, oak-aged
- Gamaret-Garanoir Blend: Classic Swiss style
- Multi-variety Assemblage: Swiss AOC blends
The Divico Connection
Gamaret’s significance extends through its offspring:
Divico (Gamaret × Bronner):
- Switzerland’s flagship PIWI red variety
- Full disease resistance
- Quality comparable to Gamaret
- Named after Celtic tribal leader
- Represents the future of sustainable Swiss viticulture
Food Pairing
Gamaret’s structure suits:
- Grilled beef
- Game meats (venison, boar)
- Aged hard cheeses (Gruyère)
- Rich stews
- Mushroom dishes
- Traditional Swiss fondue (with aged Gamaret)
Comparison with Other Structured Reds
| Characteristic | Gamaret | Merlot | Blaufränkisch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Deep | Medium-Deep | Deep |
| Tannins | Firm | Medium | Firm |
| Body | Medium-Full | Medium-Full | Medium-Full |
| Aging | 10-15 years | 5-15 years | 10-20 years |
| Character | Dark fruit, structure | Plum, soft | Spicy, peppery |
Sources
- Robinson, J., Harding, J., & Vouillamoz, J. (2012). Wine Grapes. Ecco/HarperCollins. Publisher Link
- VIVC Database - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
- Agroscope Research Station (Switzerland)
- Swiss Wine Promotion (VSIG)
- Spring, J.L., et al. (2007). New Swiss grape varieties. Revue Suisse de Viticulture 39(3). Link
Last Updated: January 13, 2026