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
Body
medium full
Acidity
high
Aromatics
pronounced
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