Thu August 7th 2008

Home > Grapes > Semillon

Grape Variety: Semillon

Geography: France, Portugal, Israel, Tunisia, New World, especially the Hunter Valley region of Australia.



Viticulture: The finest Sémillon grapes are grown in extremely different types of terroir, Bordeaux in France and the Hunter Valley in Australia. Both regions, however, have humidity in common.

Varietal/Blend: A traditional Bordeaux variety often blended with Sauvignon Blanc. Famous for the part it plays in the production of Sauternes. Used mostly as a varietal in Australia.

Flavor & Character: The best dry, oaked varieties have flavors of nectarine and lemon. Sweeter versions, affected by ''noble rot,'' have delightful, waxy flavors of peaches, apricots and honey.

Vinification: Sémillon is sometimes aged in oak, but even if unoaked, it develops a delightful nutty flavor, particularly if allowed to age for several years.

Style: Produces two starkly different styles of dry and sweet wines.

Body, Dry/Sweet: Tends to produce full-bodied wines with good acidity. Like Riesling, it is capable of rotting nobly to make luscious sweet wines.

Notes: The Hunter Valley region of Australia put Sémillon on the world wine map with its marvelous ''botrytized'' wood aged Sémillon wines.

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