Today there are some 37,500 acres of vineyards in Switzerland. Approximately 30% of the total wine production is Pinot Noir. The most important region is the Bündner Herrschaft which is the home to 60 different producers in four villages (Malans, Jenins, Maienfeld, and Fläsch). There are 1,000 acres of vineyards planted here and 80% of the production is Pinot Noir.

Completer is a white wine grape that is an indigenous cultivar from Eastern Switzerland. These vines in the area of Malans in the Rhine Valley were known as far back as 765. Today plantings are increasing, but are still minuscule with only 5 acres of Completer vines under cultivation in the entire country and is made in the style of a dry white wine.

In 1321 where the name is found in a document from the Cathedral Chapter of the Cathedral of Chur. The last evening prayer in the Catholic Church is called Completarium (Complete). After this prayer the early monks in this area drank a white wine. The wine of this time was high in acid and high in sugar and made like sherry with prolonged aging in barrels. This wine became known as Completer. Today Completer is known by several names including “Malanserrebe” which translated means “the variety of Malans”.

The 2011 is tightly knit and not very flattering at first but opened up and was more pleasurable after an hour or so. It has unusual characteristics with a structure, and flavor. It is like a cross between Aligoté, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. Completer has floral complexities of Pinot Gris, and the fruit and bright minerality of a great Riesling.

(93 Points)

source: http://www.donatsch.info/#!wine-estate/c1ofz