Weekly Wine Quiz #77: Grape Trivia – Savagnin
Welcome to the second day of the weekend and your new wine quiz!
We are continuing our grape trivia series, still focusing on the white grapes, and today’s subject is Savagnin.
Actually, with Savagnin, we are finishing the white grapes series, and will be going back to reds next week – but for now, let’s talk about Savagnin.
Have you heard of Savagnin? Have you ever had any wines made from that grape? Actually, Savagnin is one of the oldest known grapes, taking its roots in the 10th century in the French Alps. From there, it slowly made it to the other side of the Alps into the Switzerland, where it is known since the 16th century. Savagnin is primarily used in winemaking in Jura, and it is barely used outside of that area in its direct form, with only some known plantings in Australia. However, as part of the Traminer family, it has relatives living all over the world.
Savagnin is one of the not just late, but the latest ripening grape varieties – it is not uncommon for Savagnin to fully ripen only in December. Savagnin is quite versatile, capable of producing both dry and dessert wines. It is also typically blended with Chardonnay to create Crémant du Jura, a local sparkling wine. The most famous wine from Jura is called Vin Jaune (“Yellow wine”). Vin Jaune is produced in the sherry-like style, and Savagnin is the only grape variety allowed in production of that wine.
And now, to the quiz!
Q1: Australia makes wines from Savagnin grapes. However, when the grape was planted, it was assumed to be …?
Q2: Wine made from Savagnin was one of the most expensive wines ever sold at an auction. It was sold at about:
a. $98,000
b. $74,000
C. $47,000
d. $30,000
Q3: Continuing previous question – do you know what wine was that? Bonus part: can you also identify the vintage?
Q4: Name at least two other wines, produced in the same way as way Vin de Paille, one of the popular wines made from Savagnin.
Q5: Which reddish-skinned ( but technically white) grape is a close relative of Savagnin?
Good luck, enjoy the quiz and the rest of your weekend! Cheers!
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I’ve actually recently had a North American savagnin made by Megalomaniac wines in Niagara. It reminded me of a chardonnay in weight but with an edge. Very nice. I’ve had the Jura ones but I think I liked this better.
Not sure about access to ths grape where you are but it’s extremely limited here.
Good quiz. Looking forward to answers.
Shame this quize came a few days before I will be in Jura! The only memory of Savagnin Tradition 2005 from Cotes du Jura is the distinctive oaky, nutty, pear tastes similiar to sherry, which I enjoy with Comte cheese.
1.Albarino, Spanish grape
2,3. Don’t know.
4. Vin Santo! And there is one made in Germany,but I forgot – I found it 😉 Pradikatswein. What else? Hmm..
5. Savagnin Rose
Thanks for the preview of my tour. 🙂
Great answers and I’m glad to help with prepping for your trip! Enjoy it – I definitely hope to make it one day to Jura by myself…
Thank you for expanding my wine knowledge! These are quizzes I wouldn’t mind studying for 🙂
Sounds good, Jenn! There will be more coming : )