Says tastes vary (6)
I believe the answer is:
states
'says' is the definition.
('state' can be a synonym of 'say')
'tastes vary' is the wordplay.
'vary' indicates anagramming the letters.
'tastes' with letters rearranged gives 'STATES'.
(Other definitions for states that I've seen before include "Declares the nations?" , "Countries with a central government" , "gallery in ship" , "Asserts" , "Conditions of American administrative units" .)