Who makes it?

Soumah Savarro is all Savagnin blanc. And what a wine it is! Savagnin is a grape that is producing some excellent dry white wines in Australia. It needs a lot more love to prevent it from disappearing from more vineyards though. I think Soumah is an excellent example of why it should stay.

Soumah is a winery owned by the Butcher family. The estate has the typical Yarra Valley flagship grapes – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. However, the family also has a keen interest in Northern Italian grapes. These include Brachetto, Nebbiolo, Marzemino and ‘Savarro’. And Savarro = Savagnin Blanc.

How do they make it?

Soumah Savarro has found a home in the Hexham vineyard. It is a single vineyard wine. To keep the pristine fruit, the team sometimes use a mixture of tank and barrel fermentation. The wine then spends time on its lees usually in a stainless steel tank.

For more information about lees, please read What are lees?

What does it taste like?

That time on lees gives this wine a sense of roundness. The result is this vibrant, zesty and intense dry white wine that has some delightful spiciness as well. It still retains a zesty lime and lemon heart though. There is a whiff of floral perfume too that adds lift to the nose. 

On the palate, that citrus drive is offset with a minerally savouriness. You might find some light creaminess here too. This is a wine that will sit well for a few years as it has the acid to keep it fresh. In a few years you will get some honey notes developing too. 

What to drink it with?

Drink the Soumah Savarro with fish and seafood dishes. The acid will cut through cream to keep your palate feeling fresh. Mussels with a creamy white wine sauce would be ideal. Don’t stop there though, enjoy with baked fish with butter and flaked almonds, or just your local fish and chips. Calamari is a good option.  

Cheese

This is an excellent wine to enjoy with bloomy cheeses, fresh tangy cheeses and herb flavoured cream cheeses. I can personally recommend drinking it with some Chevre.

Quickie review « This is one of the fresh, zingy versions of Savagnin from Australia. It is an excellent introduction to this variety. »

Country of Origin:  Yarra Valley, Australia
Tasting Date: June 2025
Price:  UK £25 | AU$ 35
Drink: now – 5+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like fine Australian white wines as this Soumah Savarro, why not check out:
Jim Barry Assyrtiko
Olivers Taranga Fiano

Visit soumah for more.