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One of the so-called international varietals, Sémillon is a white wine grape commonly grown in the Bordeaux region of France, and in Australia where it has long been wrongly labelled as Riesling.
This golden-skinned grape is used to make both dry and sweet white wines, particularly in Bordeaux where it is the most widely planted white grape.
It is extremely susceptible to noble rot (Botrytis cinarea), which makes it perfectly suitable for the production of dessert wines, such as the famous "golden whites" of Sauternes and Barsac.
edit Aromas
Few wines are produced only from Sémillon as a single varietal. Wines dominated by Sémillon tend to be full-bodied and low in acidity, with an oily texture, which is why this grape is most commonly blended with other grapes.
It is often blended with Sauvignon in order to balance the high acidity and aromatic strength of that grape.
In Bordeaux, Sémillon's sweetness and susceptibility to "noble rot" make it an ideal partner for Sauvignon and Muscadelle. Together, they produce the famous "golden whites" of Sauternes and Barsac.
edit Regions
Originating in Bordeaux and Southwestern France, Sémillon spread very early to the New World. It was once the most planted white varietal in the world, for most of the 19th century. Its acreage has greatly reduced since, but it is still a white grape of choice in numerous regions.
Outside France, Sémillon is widely grown in Australia, especially in the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley and Margaret River regions. It used to be incorrectly labelled as Riesling in these regions.
Australian vintners often use Sémillon to soften the acidity of Sauvignon or to give a crispy edge to Chardonnay. It is also used to produce Australian Sauternes-like dessert wines.
In Chile, California and South Africa, Sémillon is most often blended with Sauvignon, once again to achieve balance.
edit Viticulture
With its consistent productivity of six to eight tons per acre, the vigorous Sémillon vine is considered rather easy to cultivate. It is resistant to most common vine diseases, to the notable exception of "noble rot" used to make sweet, dessert wines.
edit Other names
- Green Grape
- Hunter River Riesling
- Semillon
