Savagnin

Savagnin is the signature white grape of the Jura, a small mountainous wine region in eastern France, and the sole variety behind its famous vin jaune ("yellow wine"). Late-ripening and naturally high in acidity, it is best known in an oxidative, sherry-like style: aged for years in barrel under a protective film of yeast called the voile, it turns deep gold and develops intense aromas of walnut, almond, curry spice and dried fruit. It is also made in a fresher, topped-up style (ouillé) that keeps its bright citrus and floral fruit, and it grows in Switzerland as Heida or Païen. A member of the ancient Traminer family, it is one of France's most distinctive and long-lived dry whites.