Sémillon

Sémillon is a white grape variety and widely grown in several countries across the globe. It is most famous for its botrytized sweet wines often in an assemblage with other grapes.

The Sémillon grape has a yellow-green colour, with an aroma profile that has been described as exotic aromatic with notes of nutmeg and broom. Its taste is typically described as smooth, with a creamy texture, ripe fruits and a slight hint of lemon and medium to high acidity.

Sémillon is grown primarily in France, where it is used in the production of some of the most famous wines such as Bordeaux and Sauternes. It is also grown in Australia and the United States, where it is used to produce dry white wines. Sémillon is a relatively low-yielding variety, and it is sensitive to powdery mildew and botrytis. The grapes can have a high sugar content and they are typically picked late in the season. The dry wines produced from Sémillon grapes tends to be fresh with a good portion of acidity. In Australia, Sémillon is often bottled as a single grape varietal wine, especially in the Hunter Valley. These wines tend to be low in alcohol and can be bottle aged for up to 5 years, giving it distinct nutty flavours and aromas. In France, Sémillon is mostly blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle to produce sweet wines, such as Sauternes. Sémillon pairs well with a variety of foods, from fish and seafood to salads and soft cheeses. Its creamy texture and delicate fruit flavours make it a good match for lightly spiced dishes.

France grows more Sémillon than any other country and recently a colour mutation called red Sémillon has been observed in South Africa.