The Taste of Switzerland
The picturesque Swiss village of Sembrancher sits enthroned at the intersection of two idyllic valleys and blends harmoniously into the wild and untouched natural landscape. To the west of the village rises the majestic Mont Catogne, whose volcano-like shape is known the world over. This peak of the Valais Alps, proudly perched at 2598 meters above sea level, enchants with its incomparable beauty.
Sembrancher mineral water, a precious elixir that springs from an artesian well in the mountain flanks, flows in the midst of this breathtaking scenery. This astonishing water saw the light of day in 2008, after having made its gentle journey through the bowels of the majestic granite pyramid more than 55 meters underground. It is carefully extracted at its own pace, without any mechanical pumping, reckless extraction or chemical treatment - a truly artesian spring of exceptional purity.
The history of this water dates back to 1239, when the first inhabitants of Sembrancher discovered its excellent taste and neutral flavor, as well as its positive effects on their health. Since then, Sembrancher has developed into one of the most renowned springs in Switzerland.
In 2002, the municipal council of Sembrancher commissioned the renowned hydrogeological office ALPGEO in Sierre to carry out a thorough investigation and certification of the Sembrancher mineral water. After numerous geological studies and the necessary analyses, the company Sembrancher S.A. was finally awarded the exclusive right to use this precious water in the fall of 2008.
Only 1% of the natural spring water is bottled, demonstrating the Société des Eaux Minérales de Sembrancher S.A.'s continuous and sustainable respect for people, ecosystems and the environment.
Sembrancher is a proud member of the Fine Water Society and was awarded several medals at the Fine Water Summit in Athens in 2023. Back in 2018, this exceptional water received the prestigious AVPA Gourmet Award in silver.
Swiss water is born in the heart of the Valais mountains and is extracted in Sembrancher at the St. Etienne spring, which has been famous for 800 years.
The experience.
The pairing recommendations of the Water Sommelier Union:
As a low-mineralized water with a harmonious sensory character, Sembrancher is the ideal companion to showcase finely balanced and delicately seasoned dishes or drinks and give them the space they need.
Pairing with wine:
Its neutral character makes Sembrancher the ideal companion for high-quality wines from different wine styles that can fully develop their aroma. In particular, this water is ideal for medium-bodied and full-bodied red wines or cuvées with barrique ageing, as well as for wines with a higher alcohol content and strong tannins. This water goes perfectly with classic French Bordeaux wines from the most renowned chateaux as well as the world-famous Pinot Noir Grand Crus from Burgundy such as Romanée-Conti. It also pairs elegantly with mature, majestic Italian Barolos from Piedmont and cult wines from Tuscany, the so-called Supertuscans such as Sassicaia and Tignanello. Not forgetting the exquisite accompaniment to French vintage champagne, whose elegant mousseux comes into its own with still water.
For coffee:
Due to its softness, this still water is an excellent companion for coffees with very pronounced aromas. The coffee always retains its characteristic aroma. Coffees such as the renowned Jamaica Blue Mountain, Hawaii Kona or Kopi Luwak in particular benefit from the neutrality and can fully develop their exquisite taste. The creamy mouthfeel of cappuccino and latte is supported and enhanced by Sembrancher.
Basis for tea:
The fine mineralization of the water is also an excellent basis for making tea. Particularly high-quality and fine tea specialties from Darjeeling such as Silver Tips Imperial from Makaibari Estate or high-quality oolongs such as Imperial Grade Tieguanyin can develop their floral aroma very well.
Food pairing:
Sembrancher goes perfectly with dishes from classic international cuisine or fusion cuisine, as its harmonious minerality elegantly and unobtrusively underlines the character of the food. Whether with light and easy dishes or hearty and spicy dishes, Sembrancher is always a good choice thanks to its versatility and refreshes the palate perfectly. It is a good accompaniment to meat and fish dishes of all kinds. It also harmonizes well with creamy desserts and makes them a special treat thanks to its fine character.
FINE LIQUIDS has been the exclusive distributor of Sembrancher in Europe since September 2023.
Glass bottle
Text Patrick Eckert, FINE LIQUIDS | Sources: Own research & manufacturer's website
