Sémillon

Common synonyms: Wyndruif (South Africa)

Parentage of the grape: undetermined, likely native to Bordeaux and/or surroundings
 
History of the grape: Little is documented about the early years of this grape, which is surprising due to its distinguished popularity in the regions where it is grown. It has been used in quality production in France, in the areas in and around Bordeaux for centuries. It is there that it is found in elegant dry white wines, most often blended with Sauvignon Blanc. But perhaps even more importantly, its predisposition for Botrytis cinerea (a.k.a. “noble rot”), which has an astounding effect on the grape (as long as it is healthy), pinpointing its sugars and aromas for the Cadillac of sweet wine, Chateau d’Yquem of Sauternes. These wines can take long cellar aging and are some of the most sought after and expensive wines in the world. In more accessible forms, it is found in the late harvest dessert wines of lesser grade Sauternes (which are still Read more »

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Popular Sémillon wines

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Popular Regions for Sémillon View all

  • South Australia

    South Australia is the strong arm of the Australia wine industry, where the majority of the cou...

  • Rhône

      Located along a section of the Rhone river in southeastern France, this is really two regi...

  • Hunter Valley

    Hunter Valley is the best known region within the state of New South Wales in Australia. The up...

  • USA

    "American Wine" has existed since the first Europeans brought their vinous heritage and tradition...

  • Australia

    The history of wine-making in Australia dates back to the late 1700s when the first European se...

  • France

    Perhaps no country evokes such strong associations with fine wine as does France. Its reputatio...

  • Sauternes

      Sauternes is a region in the Graves part of Bordeaux, south of the Garonne river which is ...

  • South Africa

      The history of wine-making in South Africa began as the Dutch East India company establish...

  • New South Wales

    New South Wales is state and wine-producing region within the Federal Commonwealth of Australia...

Popular Wineries using Sémillon

  • Bird in Hand

    In 1997, an unassuming young viticulturalist and winemaker, Andrew Nugent, chanced his arm in the...

  • Pirramimma Winery

    Pirramimma was founded by Alexander Campbell Johnston in 1892 and has been owned and operated by ...

  • The Yalumba Wine Company

    Yalumba was founded in 1849 by Samuel Smith, British migrant and English brewer, who had broug...

  • Maglieri

    Maglieri has long set the benchmark for winemaking in McLaren Vale, enjoying both national and in...

  • McWilliam's Wines Pty Ltd

    McWilliam's Wines is Australia's Most Awarded Winery, with six generations and more than 130 year...

  • Tatachilla Winery

    Tatachilla has been a part of McLaren Vale since vines were first planted over 100 years ago. Tod...

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Sémillon on Snooth

  • Van Der Heyden White Table Wine NV

    Snoothrank:

    Lovely honeysuckle on the nose. Fresh flowers. Semi-sweet on the palate and coats the mouth. Good body. Flavors of melon, pear, citrus. It's very floral. Nice and easy drinking. Good balance of sweetness. 87 pts.5/8/13 at winery Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • 14 Hands White Blend Horse Heaven Hills Hot To Trot White 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Very well balanced Washington state white blend. Nice acidity, gold delicious apple, lemon curd with some minerality on the back end. Read More

    Wine review by vin0vin0


  • Chateau Gravas Sauternes 2001

    Snoothrank:

    I bought this bottle of wine for ten pounds from a wine merchant in Sussex.It ... ... wine consists of 95% semillon and 5% sauvignon blanc and the grapes are hand-harvested very late in order to allow the development of a fungus called Botrytis which contributes to the sweet taste.The wine is matured in oak barrels.I drank my bottle last nigh... Read More

    Wine review by duncan 906


  • Those of my ilk tend to perpetuate certain notions. For example, the idea that ... ... 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Semillon.Nutty on the nose, with low waxy apricot and peach aromas topped with a fine green herbal edge and a hint of floral character. Round, rich and relatively powerful in the mouth with lots of bright, acid-tinged greengage plum ... Read More

    From the article Beringer Vineyards


  • Breaux Vineyards Jennifer's Jambalaya 2012

    Snoothrank:

    A true Heinz 57 catch-all white blend with several kinds of Muscat, along with Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier -- the name's not just a nod to their Cajun heritage. Off-dry white blend pleasing to the masses. Pairs great with spicy food. Read More

    Wine review by Danielle91090


  • Chateau la Rame St Croix du Mont 1973

    Snoothrank:

    I bought this bottle of wine from the website ... wine is made up of 75% semillon and 25% sauvignon blanc.It is harvested late in order to allow the development of a fungus called botrytis which contributes to the sweet taste.I started my bottle at the weekend with a plate of bread and cheese and I did enjoy it.It is very sweet almost like hone... Read More

    Wine review by duncan 906


  • Stickybeak Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend Sonoma County Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Did not like this at all, maybe it was a bad bottle. Sulfur and too acidic Read More

    Wine review by Michael C Butler


  • Buty Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend Columbia Valley Sémillon/Sauvignon/Muscadelle 2010

    Snoothrank:

    Really enjoyable blend of floral based white varietals. 4/5 would buy again Read More

    Wine review by Michael C Butler


  • I currently live in Beijing so everything one purchases needs to be scrutinized closely. Recently I purchased a bottle at the wine shop I frequent. What attracted me was two fold. 1) It's a 2001 White Bordeaux (known to be an absolutely fantastic year). 2) It was in the discount section. So this means either the owner doesnt know what its worth ... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Help to identify my bottle of...


  • Château de Cosse Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend Sauternes 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Apricot and a nice nuttiness on the nose along with caramel and toast. Rich palate with good acid. Lush, nutty qualities suggest peanut oil and hazelnut along with dried apricot and caramel. Nice.87 pts.4/6/13 Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


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