The white grape variety originates from France. Around 100 synonyms testify to the vine's great age and worldwide distribution. The most important ones, grouped alphabetically by country, are Feigentraube, Muskat-Silvaner, Würzsilvaner (Germany); Blanc Doux, Blanc Fumé, Blanc Fumet, Fumé, Genetin, Gennetin, Gentin a Romorantin, Gros Sauvignon, Libournais, Painechon, Puinechou, Punéchon, Punechou, Quinechon, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc Musqué, Sauvignon Fumé, Sauvignon Jaune, Sauvignon Jeune, Sauvignon Musqué, Savagnou, Savignôn, Surin (France); Pellegrina, Pissotta, Sauvignon Bianco (Italy); Fumé Blanc (California); Sauvignon Bijeli, Sovinjon (Croatia); Genetin (Luxembourg); Sotern Marunt, Verdo Belîi (Moldova); Feigentraube, Muskat-Silvaner, Weißer Sauvignon (Austria); Muškatni Silvanec, Zeleni Sauvignon (Slovenia); Sauvignon Blanco (Spain); Fehér Sauvignon, Zöld Ortlibi (Hungary). It must not be confused with the Ahumat, Savagnin Blanc (Traminer), Sauvignonasse (Friulano, Tai), Silvaner or Spergola (formerly common synonym for Sauvignon Blanc in Italy) varieties, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities.
According to DNA analyses carried out most recently in 2013, there is a parent-offspring relationship with Savagnin Blanc = Traminer. A previously suspected parentage Savagnin Blanc x Chenin Blanc was disproved. This also explains why Savagnin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc were often confused and have the same synonyms. However, Savagnin Blanc is probably not a descendant but a parent, as this variety was mentioned much earlier than the probable descendant Sauvignon Blanc. The second parent is unknown. Relationships exist through Savagnin Blanc with the varieties Aubin Blanc, Béquignol Noir, Grüner Veltliner,...
