Glacier wine tasting with cheese at mountain refuge

Experience authentic Swiss mountain hospitality at a traditional refuge where glacier wines are paired with raclette and fondue. The combination of molten cheese, crisp Fendant, and alpine panoramas defines the Swiss mountain wine experience.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Find the Roman Coins in the Thermal Spring Valley History · Free

   Roman coins from Emperor Vespasian's time (69-79 AD) were discovered in Leukerbad, proving Romans soaked in these 51°C thermal springs 2,000 years ago. The thermal water (3.9 million liters daily) bubbles up from the Dala Gorge where you can see the springs without paying for baths. Walk the Dala-Raspille cultural trail through the wild Dala valley where 51-degree water emerges from several springs. Start at Leukerbad village center (Dorfplatz), walk toward the Dala Gorge, look for visible steam rising, and touch the rocks near the springs — they're WARM from geothermal heat while the Torrenthorn (2,998m) towers to the west.

   Backup: If you can't hike, walk around the village thermal bath exteriors (Walliser Alpentherme, Leukerbad Therme). You'll see steam rising from the buildings - that's the 51°C water the Romans discovered. Free to observe, costs nothing to stand in awe.

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2. 2 Taste the Science: Fendant + Raclette = 92/100 Harmony Wine · Price: moderate

   Fendant (Valais Chasselas) + Raclette du Valais AOP scored 92/100 in Culinary Institute controlled sensory trials — the HIGHEST harmony score of all tested wine-cheese pairings. The science: Fendant's crisp acidity (pH ~3.2) cuts through cheese fat, cleansing your palate and keeping the cheese emulsion STABLE. At Restaurant Waldhaus (Promenade 25) or Maison Blanche (Dorfplatz 7), order Raclette du Valais AOP (CHF 25-35) with Fendant (CHF 6-10/glass). Check the cheese rind stamp (Bagnes, Gomser, Wallis 65?) and taste the pairing: eat melted cheese, sip Fendant, notice acidity CLEANING your palate — that's the 92/100 score in action.

   Backup: Restaurant Waldhaus has 70+ grappas + exceptional regional/international wine list (Swiss Guild of Master Restaurateurs member). Maison Blanche has good coffee + European cuisine. Both serve the pairing.

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3. 3 Climb the Gemmi Where Goethe, Twain & Lenin Crossed Empires Adventure · Price: moderate

   The Gemmi Pass is the ONLY historic link between Valais (south) and Bernese Oberland (north) — Romans, medieval muleteers, then Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1779), Mark Twain, Vladimir Lenin, and Pablo Picasso all walked it. The Gemmibahn cable car (CHF 30-40 round trip) conquers 940 vertical meters in minutes to Gemmipass (2,350m), where Hotel Wildstrubel's panoramic terrace shows Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Weisshorn (south) AND Jungfrau massif (north). Order Fendant or Pinot Noir (CHF 6-10) and ask staff 'Which famous writers visited here?' — you're next in line.

   Backup: Walk the Dala-Raspille trail through Dala Gorge to Varen/Salgesch vineyards (Pinot Noir region). Same valley, same wine, lower altitude, free hiking.

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4. 4 Soak in Europe's Largest Thermal Resort (Then Pair Wine + Cheese) Wine · Price: moderate · Optional

   Leukerbad is Europe's LARGEST thermal/wellness resort with 3.9 million liters daily at 51°C from 65 springs. At Walliser Alpentherme & SPA (CHF 64/5hrs with Guest Card discount), the outdoor thermal pool (34-40°C) has Matterhorn/Weisshorn views. After soaking, Bar Grand Bain serves Valais wine + raclette — the pairing Romans knew (cheese-making in Valais dates to 4th century BC). The water's calcium sulfate relaxes muscles while wine's acidity cuts cheese fat. Soak the outdoor pool, head to Bar Grand Bain, order Fendant + Raclette du Valais AOP, and taste the 92/100 harmony score while your muscles are STILL relaxed from the baths.

   Backup: Leukerbad Therme if Alpentherme is crowded. Or buy wine + cheese from shops, soak at hotel if it has thermal access, pair yourself.

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Insider tips

• Combine wine tasting with the famous thermal baths for a complete alpine wellness day

• Book a traditional raclette experience at a mountain refuge for authenticity

• Fendant (Chasselas) is the classic raclette pairing - ask for aged versions