#116 Savagnin

This was a difficult find. It might have been harder to find details about the wine than it was to find it for sale here in the United States. The long and short of it is that Savagnin is a local varietal found mostly in Cotes du Jura France. Interestingly (according to wiki) recent DNA testing in Australia has shown that what the Aussies had been exporting as the Spanish varietal Albarino is in fact Savagnin. It appears that wine questers could pick up a cheap Aussie Albarino and end up getting a difficult to find varietal checked off their list and enjoy a really nice wine to boot ($25).

As I was searching for a label picture I came across this review from Whisper Wine:

"This wine is a rarity in many aspects. Jura is known for its "Vin Jaune" (literally "Yellow Wine") made with the Savagnin grape, a very local varietal. To make a long story short, Vin Jaune, due to its very special vinification, would compare to a Jerez in taste - a very dry wine with unique aromas of walnut and morel. Alain Labet has been first (back in 1990) to change the ancestral tradition and use the Savagnin grape like a Chardonnay grape. Many have since followed in his footsteps. This Fleur de Savagnin is a pure expression of terroir - should you want an illustration of the nature of terroir, this is it. The wine is powerful, clean, a bit spicy. Côtes du Jura is a rare find not only in Pennsylvania but possibly even in the whole United States.

Share it with your very best friends only, it's quite unique. Want to play blind tasting? Many will think it is a top notch white burgundy!"