Semillon wine

Semillon can be a dry or sweet wine, created from a variety of golden-skinned grapes. This white wine offers a full-bodied experience infused with delicious sweet notes. France is one of the major producers of this relatively inexpensive wine. Common blends include Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

The vineyards in Australia also offer some of the most amazing Semillon flavours in the world. South Africa also has a heritage of producing this white wine. In fact, at a certain time, around 90 percent of South African vineyards created Semillon. However, South Africa now only accounts for 1 percent of total Semillon production. Chilean producers also gained a significant reputation for Semillon in the 1950s.

Successful Semillon viticulture depends on large vineyards. The production volumes are consistently high, as the orchards grow ripe with 6-8 tonnes of grape per acre in each season. The thin-skinned grapes are delicate and run the risk of sunburn. Many vintners experiment with this slight amount of sunburn in order to create a distinct flavor. Cultivation is most successful in climates where sunny days are followed by cooler nights.

The wine can mature for a long time, making it a vintage favourite. In fact, these grapes are one of the three approved varieties from the Bordeaux region of France. It is inexpensive, yet Semillon is revered by connoisseurs and wine tasters. Common tasting notes found in Semillon are the fruits of apple, lemon, pear, mango, peach, apricot and green papaya. A waxy, lanoline taste can be found in other blends, as well as richer, creamier tastes and finishes.

The distinct silken texture of dry varieties is because of high concentrations of glycerol and sugar. Semillon is an excellent partner to mussels and seafood, while French glazed tarts go very well with sweeter variants.