Christophe Bonvin was born in 1965 in Sion. A talented and charismatic footballer, he brought joy to FC Sion for many years. With the Valais club, he became Swiss champion in 1997 and won the Swiss Cup numerous times. With 45 caps for the national team, he gained great popularity that he still enjoys today due to his pleasant and approachable character. For the past 20 years, he has worked for the Bonvin wine house in Sion. His tastings, particularly those conducted as part of the Club Vins Emotions, have been immensely successful. He is married and a father of three children. He assists his wife in their bookshop in Martigny. An epicurean at heart, he cheerfully agreed to this interview about the finer things in life!
1. What is your favorite wine?
Pinot Noir. It is the grape variety that introduced me to the world of wine. In 1997, the year I ended my football career, I joined the committee of Vinea, the renowned wine fair in Sierre. I was in charge of organizing the Mondial du Pinot Noir. A wonderful way to discover this grape variety that is at once elegant, powerful, and incredibly refined.
Of course, the Cuvée 1858 Rouge remains my favorite! Together with André Darbellay, the director, and Thierry Delalay, the oenologist, we created this wine to mark the 150th anniversary of the house. A completely ambitious project that allowed this wine to earn its place among the greats. It is definitely one of the great Valais wines!
2. What is your favorite dish?
I enjoy making fresh pasta with Pecorino cheese and pepper. This cheese, with its strong and bold flavor, gives an incomparable taste to this recipe that seems very simple but requires meticulous precision. One minute too long cooking the pasta and it's a disaster! Naturally, I pair a Pinot Noir with this dish, with a preference for Terra Cotta.
3. What is your first memory related to wine?
It was during military recruit school. I was already a professional footballer and of course did not drink alcohol. My comrades tried to get me to drink throughout the entire recruit school. I resisted but, on the last day, I drank more than I should have. The colonel caught me drinking straight from the bottle! I was not very proud of my actions, which I paid for with a terrible hangover.
4. What extravagance would you be capable of for a wine?
I would never commit financial extravagance for a wine. Wine is a product born from the earth and the work of people. It proves generous and beneficial if one knows how to appreciate it at its true value. I would never be able to drink bad wine—that is the only extravagance I could commit.
5. With whom do you enjoy drinking wine?
I would have loved to share a glass of wine with Mother Teresa. This figure fascinates me completely. In my moments of doubt, I immerse myself in her life and contemplate with fascination her extraordinary existence, her charitable work. She does me good; she also doubted greatly, which reassures me and helps me move forward positively in life.
