Savignin Blanc

I mentioned this grape in the entry about a wine named Savarro, but I had also blogged about Chateau-Chalon a long time previously. Savignin Blanc is an ancient Swiss grape, which is for two reasons - together with Gouais Blanc and the Pinot family, they represent the three parent grape families from which most of the modern varieties are descended. Chardonnay is for example a cross between Gouais Blanc and Savignin, whilst Savignin (also named Tramin and Traminer) is also part of the big family of Traminer grapes. However, the grape is rather genetically unstable, so there are many mutations which has been reconized as separate varieties (cf Pinot Noir, Gris, Blanc and Meunier)

Apart from vin jaune and cremant de jura, savignin is also used in the vin de paille in that region. I have tasted a wine (purported a Vin de Glacier) called a Heida Getscherwein some time ago as well, though a true Vin de Glacier is not supposed to be made from Heida.