Grape Variety Report:
Semillon
By: Lauren Yokley
Semillon
is a white grape variety that is popular in France, Australia, South Africa,
Chile, and California. Semillon grapes originated in France in the
1800s and they are the majority white variety in Bordeaux, Graves, and
Sauternes. However, Chile has more acreage of Semillon planted than
anywhere else in the world, yet it ranks third among their other grapes – just
behind Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. During the early viticultural
development of Australia, Semillon was the dominant white grape variety. But
it is now overridden by Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. South Africa
also has a similar story – it used to be the most abundant white grape (also
known as Wyndruif), but today it only
accounts for less than 1% of plantings. In California, total
Semillon plantings have fluctuated over the past several decades by thousands
of acres. Today, it is mainly used as a blending wine for Sauvignon
Blanc as a dry table wine.
In
France, Semillon is often used as a blending grape for Sauvignon Blanc and
Muscadelle, especially in Bordeaux to make a more complex wine. It
is also the dominant grape variety used in the sweet French Sauterne wines
which are very famous worldwide. Sauternes is the world’s most
renowned and longest-living unfortified dessert wine.
The
Semillon grape can produce these amazing sweet wines because it is so prone to
develop Botrytis Cinerea, or more commonly known as “noble rot”. This
disease is actually a blessing to these grapes because it produces very high
sugar levels. When the grapes are attacked by this rot, they shrivel
on the vine. They dry out and lose water, but become extremely
concentrated with sugars and creates sweet fruit, roasted nut, and tropical
flavors. The sweet aromas and flavors can also be achieved by
leaving the grapes on the vine longer for a late harvest that will allow more
sugar build-up and leave some residual sugars after the fermentation process.
There
are about 35,000 hectares of land dedicated to growing the Semillon grape
variety. Semillon grapes have a rich yellow color when mature and
with high amounts of sun exposure, they may turn amber-pink. In warm
climates, sunburn and raisining are hazards. This grape variety
typically has large berries, thin skin, and is a pretty vigorous grape that can
be grown in many different climates to produce slightly different aromas and
flavors depending on soil type, temperature, length of growing season, and
amount of rainfall.
General
flavor descriptors of Semillon wines include: apple, peach, pear, grass, lemon,
pineapple, and asparagus. These grapes have an affinity for oak
which accentuates subtleties. If the wine is aged in oak barrels,
the flavor profile will include more vanilla, toast, and oak flavors. As
a young varietal, the Australian version is fuller-bodied and has more fruity
flavors (like apricot and mango) than the Bordeaux Semillon. Wines
dominated by Semillon may lack much youthful aroma, but they tend to be
full-bodied and low in acidity – they may even be “oily” or “fatty” at times.
A
varietal Semillon wine pairs best with medium to full-bodied savory dishes like
heavier fish, chicken, and pork with buttery and creamy sauces. Also
goes well with pastas that have pesto or cheese sauces. The late
harvest (sweet) wines are dessert wines meant for sweet dishes.
In
conclusion, Semillon grapes were once an incredibly popular white wine varietal
but have declined significantly over the past several decades and have become
more of a grape used for blending into other white wines. It can be
produced as a dry or sweet style depending on location and type of wine
desired.
Sources:
http://www.winetasteathome.com/Varietals/Semillon.html
http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/semillon.htm
http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-topics/wine-educational-questions/grapes-for-wine-making-flavor-characteristics-explained/semillon-wine-grapes-flavor-character-and-history/
http://www.sundaytimeswineclub.co.uk/DWBase/jsp/templates/wineguide/grape-detail.jsp?genericGrapeId=20
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