Savagnin
Also known as Traminer, Heida, Païen
Probably Jura, France
An ancient, high-acid white grape of the Jura and the family root of Traminer, best known for nutty Vin Jaune aged under a veil of yeast.
Sensory profile
Characteristics
Flavor & aroma
At a glance
Production facts
Prevalence
Niche
Climate
Cool climate
Ripening
Late season
Wine styles
Still
Where it's grown
Geography
Shaded areas are the state, province or département(s) containing each region, so they run wider than the appellations themselves.
France
Switzerland
Valais (Heida)
Grown as Heida on some of Europe's highest slopes, giving spicy, structured whites.
Italy
South Tyrol (Traminer)
Traminer is the grape's older name and is named for the village of Tramin.
Background
Origin & History
Savagnin, also called Traminer, is among the oldest grape families of central Europe, and DNA profiling puts it near the centre of the family tree: it is a parent of Grüner Veltliner, Sylvaner, Rotgipfler and Petit Meslier, has a parent-offspring link with Chenin Blanc, and is a close relative of Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Its pink-skinned and aromatic mutations are Savagnin Rosé and Gewürztraminer.
In the Jura it is made two ways: fresh and clean, or left in barrel under a film of flor yeast, without topping up, as Vin Jaune, which must age at least six years and three months before release. Château-Chalon is its most celebrated home. In the Swiss Valais it is called Heida or Païen and grows among the highest vineyards in Europe.
Lineage
Family tree
Parentage not recorded — Savagnin is an old variety of unknown origin. Click a related grape to explore its own lineage.