Wine Grape: Sémillon
Sémillon is a white wine grape, probably best known for its susceptibility to noble rot (botrytis cinerea), and the important role it plays in the wonderful sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac. It is native to southwestern France, probably Sauternes. In Pessac-Léognan, Sémillon is blended with Sauvignon Blanc and small percentages of Muscadelle, or it can make up as much as 100% of these illustrious whites. The grape is also popular in Australia, where it produces dry and sweet wines, often blended with Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon can age very well and is often fermented in oak casks.
Synonyms
Also known as Colombar, Chevrier, Mouscadelle, Sémillon Muscat, Sémillion Roux, Gros Sémillon, Blanc Sémillon, Sémillon Crucillant, Colombier, Goulu Blanc, Greengrape
Where
Australia: Hunter Valley
France: Bordeaux, Provence, Southwestern France
Italy: Calabria, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Puglia, Sardinia, Tuscany
Also: Argentina, Brazil, Chili, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland, USA
Principal Wines
Australia: Hunter Valley
France: Bordeaux: Barsac AOC, Côtes-de-Blaye AOC, Premières-côtes-de-Blaye AOC, Bordeaux-Côtes-de-Francs AOC, Bordeaux Sec AOC, Cadillac AOC, Cérons AOC, Côtes-de-Bourg AOC, Crémant-de-Bordeaux AOC, Entre-deux-Mers AOC, Graves AOC, Graves Supérieures AOC, Grave-de-Vayres AOC, Loupiac AOC, Pessac-Léognan AOC, Premières-Côtes-de-Bordeaux AOC, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont AOC, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOC, Sauternes AOC; Poitou-Charentes: Pineau-des-Charentes AOC; Provence: Coteaux-d'Aix-en-Provence AOC, Coteaux-Varois AOC, Côtes-de-Provence AOC
Characteristics
Color: Yellow-gold
Nose: Fruity (nectarine, apricot, mango, citrus), Floral (honey), and with age, Nutty (hazelnut)
Palate: In cooler regions, Sémillon can have good acidity. In warmer areas, it has a full round texture that benefits from being blended with the crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
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