Savagnin, Macéré, Arbois, 2019

Savagnin is an extraordinary varietal which has the same DNA as the Traminer varietal. Because of its multi-faceted personality, there are many ways to work with Savagnin. In Jura, the most common use of Savagnin is for oxidative wines (sous voile), either vin jaune (which requires 6.5 years in barrel under veil), or simply Savagnin (between 2 and 5 years in barrel under veil). Savagnin Ouillé, sometimes called Traminer, or Fleur de Savagnin, is the topped-up version, one that Domaine du Pélican has been producing since 2012 (see description above). For the first time in 2018, Pelican vinified a small portion of our Savagnin grapes as if they were red, fermenting them with their skins to produce a "skin contact” cuvée. The result convinced us and the commercial success of the cuvée speaks for itself. We therefore produced a similar cuvée in vintage 2019. This vinification technique gives the wine additional structure without losing its tension and vibrancy. Deep but bright, with an almost rose gold hue to it. Full flavoured, characterful and with some nerve and tension – notes of orchard fruit, balsam, citrus, fruit skin and spices. Exotic, spicy food could be an interesting pairing for this cuvée, as would blue cheese."