Sémillon
Bordeaux, France
A soft, waxy white grape, the main variety of Sauternes and, in Australia's Hunter Valley, a long-lived, light dry wine.
Sensory profile
Characteristics
Flavor & aroma
At a glance
Production facts
Prevalence
Niche
Climate
Moderate climate
Ripening
Mid season
Wine styles
Still, Dessert
Where it's grown
Geography
Shaded areas are the state, province or département(s) containing each region, so they run wider than the appellations themselves.
France
Australia
Hunter Valley (New South Wales)
Low-alcohol, dry wines that age into toasty, honeyed whites.
Background
Origin & History
Sémillon has been Bordeaux's most planted white grape for centuries. Its thin skin is very susceptible to noble rot, which makes it ideal for Sauternes, where it forms most of the blend with Sauvignon Blanc, and its neutral, waxy character suits Bordeaux's dry whites with Sauvignon.
In Australia's Hunter Valley it makes a completely different wine, picked early, low in alcohol and bone-dry, and it develops toast and honey after a decade or more in bottle.
Lineage
Family tree
Parentage not recorded — Sémillon is an old variety of unknown origin.
No crossings involving Sémillon are documented in the collection yet.