Savagnin
An ancient founder variety of the Traminer family, Savagnin is the backbone of the Jura's oxidative vin jaune.
About Savagnin
Savagnin is one of Europe's genetic patriarchs, an ancient Traminer that DNA studies place as a parent or ancestor of a sprawling family of varieties. In its Jura homeland it is the grape of vin jaune, aged for at least six years and three months in barrel under a protective veil of flor yeast (sous voile), emerging with the walnut, curry and dried-apple intensity that defines the style and is bottled in the squat 62 cl clavelin. Naturally high in acid and thick-skinned, it also yields fresher topped-up (ouille) whites and contributes to the region's sweet vin de paille. Under the synonym Traminer it is the non-aromatic sibling of Gewurztraminer. Uncompromising, saline and long-lived, Savagnin rewards patience more than any other Jura white.
Variety profile
Editorial notes
Vin jaune demands cellaring and decanting; serve cool but not cold. Distinguish the non-aromatic Traminer/Savagnin from its aromatic mutation Gewurztraminer.