white grape · regional specialty
Savagnin
Jura, France
Say it
sah·vahn·yahn
Final syllable is a nasalized vowel, not a hard N; the 'gn' is palatal as in 'canyon,' and the ending vowel is swallowed into nasal resonance
On the palate
green applelemonapricotwalnuthazelnuthoney
How you spot it blind: oxidative curry-walnut character from sotolon formed under Jura voile yeast
The story
DNA analysis by Vouillamoz et al. identifies Savagnin Blanc as probable parent of Sylvaner (× Österreichisch Weiss) and, via a cross with Gouais Blanc, of Aubin Blanc and Petit Meslier; Gewurztraminer is a somatic aromatic mutation of its pink-skinned variant Savagnin Rosé.
Where it lives
Jura, France · Valais, Switzerland
Shows up as
still whiteVin Jaunevin de paillesparkling
If you like this, try
Also answers to Savagnin Blanc, Naturé, Heida, Traminer (green-skinned).
Shop our Savagnin bottles