The white grape variety originates from France. Around 100 synonyms attest to its 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 à Gros Grains, 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 synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc in Italy) varieties, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities.
In the past, you needed a wealth of encyclopaedias and specialist literature to keep up to date in your vinophile professional life. Today, Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one of my best helpers and can rightly be called the "bible of wine knowledge".
Prof. Dr. Walter Kutscher
Lehrgangsleiter Sommelierausbildung WIFI-Wien