Semillon

Semillon is a white grape variety that is widely grown in France, Australia, South Africa, and the United States. It is known for its versatility and ability to produce a range of wine styles, from dry and crisp to sweet and luscious. Semillon is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc, to create complex and balanced wines.

In France, Semillon is primarily grown in the Bordeaux region, where it is used to produce both dry and sweet wines. In the dry style, Semillon is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to create a crisp and refreshing wine with notes of citrus and green apple. In the sweet style, Semillon is used to produce the famous Sauternes wines, which are rich and honeyed with flavors of apricot and peach.

In Australia, Semillon is one of the most widely planted grape varieties, particularly in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. Here, Semillon is used to produce a unique style of wine that is crisp and refreshing when young, but can age for decades and develop complex flavors of honey, toast, and nuts. Some of the most famous Semillon producers in Australia include Tyrrell’s, Brokenwood, and McWilliam’s.

In South Africa, Semillon is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to create a wine that is similar in style to the dry wines of Bordeaux. However, some producers are also experimenting with making Semillon in a more full-bodied and oaked style, which can be rich and creamy with flavors of vanilla and spice.

In the United States, Semillon is primarily grown in California, where it is used to produce both dry and sweet wines. In the dry style, Semillon is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to create a wine that is crisp and refreshing with notes of lemon and lime. In the sweet style, Semillon is used to produce late-harvest wines that are rich and honeyed with flavors of apricot and peach.

Some of the most famous Semillon brands include Chateau d’Yquem, which produces some of the most expensive and sought-after sweet wines in the world, as well as Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau Margaux, and Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, which are all top producers of Bordeaux blends that include Semillon.