Château de Villa: The emergence of the Kingdom of Terroirs – a unique encounter between tradition and innovation
In the heart of the Valais, Château de Villa, a monument steeped in history and an emblem of the terroir, has unveiled a renewed identity: welcome to the Kingdom of Terroirs. This emblematic site fuses tradition and modernity, inviting visitors to experience an unprecedented sensory and digital immersion thanks to NFC technologies, transforming the Château into a unique space for gastronomic and oenological discoveries.
Les Six Couronnes : connected wine tasting
During this workshop, participants are offered a stand containing six vials, each containing a different wine, but from the same grape variety, to awaken the palate. The choice is made according to taste: six white wines, six reds, or a mystery selection combining three whites and three reds. As the tastings progress, wine lovers are invited to note the nuances of each wine: its sweet or acidic profile, its fruity, floral or mineral aromas, and even an estimate of the vintage and region of origin. This detailed, guided approach enables everyone to familiarise themselves with the subtleties of each wine while refining their tastes.
The aim of the project is to present six wines from the same grape variety, ‘which is extremely rare in different establishments or cellars. It’s an opportunity to discover all the subtleties of a grape variety, such as Fendant, by comparing them,’ explains Serge Sierro, Chairman of the Château de Villa Foundation.
A personalised tasting profile to find out more about your preferences
But the experience doesn’t stop there! Once the six wines have been tasted and opinions expressed, a personal tasting profile is generated. Based on the preferences expressed, this profile gives visitors a better understanding of their tastes and the wines that delight them. It’s a fun and educational way to learn about oenology and the wines that suit their palate.
A digital and connected tasting that encourages discussion
The Univerre team had the privilege of taking part in one of the preview tastings at Château de Villa, and while we might have feared that the digital dimension would isolate the consumer, in reality the opposite is true. This innovation paved the way for rich exchanges between the participants. By scanning and noting each wine, the guests spontaneously share their impressions with their neighbours: ‘So, what do you think?’, ‘Would you prefer fruity or acidic? This connected tasting becomes a pretext for engaging in conversation, allowing everyone to compare their perceptions, refine their preferences and enjoy a collaborative and convivial tasting experience.
Les Cinq Reines: the raclette experience reinvented
Château de Villa doesn’t stop there, and is also offering a unique adventure dedicated to cheese lovers with Les Cinq Reines, a tribute to the famous Valais raclette. This connected raclette experience allows guests to explore every subtlety of the different cheeses: their texture, colour, flavour and consistency. This interactive tasting invites participants to assess every aspect, from fruity notes to spicy nuances, creating a total immersion in the world of raclette.
At the end of this gourmet adventure, tasters receive a summary of their assessments, and to prolong the magic, a competition is held with the prize of a year’s free raclette at Château de Villa. This fun, interactive approach to connected raclette makes Les Cinq Reines a warm, friendly experience, where every guest becomes a player in their own culinary experience.
A fun evaluation with surprises in store
At the end of the tasting, a personalised summary of the comments is sent by email, so that everyone can keep a record of this unique experience. And to make the experience even more unforgettable, participants can enter a competition for the chance to win a year’s supply of raclette at the Château. This fun approach combines gastronomy and technology, creating a friendly, festive atmosphere that makes you want to come back again and again.
Château de Villa has pulled off a daring gamble: combining the richness of its heritage with the innovation of connected tasting, to offer visitors a unique immersion and experience in the Valais terroir. A simple encounter between history, flavour and modernity.
The media have tested it and are talking about it
‘The digital concept guides tasters and allows them to guess the grape variety, the year and even the winemaker. A discussion naturally takes place with the other participants, comparing their impressions.’
“Connected tasting is ideal for this,’ says Emmanuel Charpin. Since this Friday, you can use an application to test your knowledge as a team, and taste wine in a fun way.”
“The aim is to showcase Valais wines by offering a different experience.”
“The digital concept guides tasters and allows them to guess the grape variety, the year and even the winemaker. A discussion naturally takes place with the other participants, comparing their impressions.”
At Château de Villa, the focus is on ‘human emulation, comparing scores, a real emotional discourse’. ‘The idea is to bring people together and provoke discussion’.
Would you also like to develop an interactive project with Univerre?
Our Studio is here to help you create innovative projects. When you visit our interactive showroom, you’ll discover a collection of unique and creative bottles, each with its own story to tell. A place full of inspiration!