Grape varieties
Sémillion
Sémillion
The Sémillion produces a full bodied wine, such as Chardonnay, although similar in aroma to Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc.
Lemon. apple, pear and green papaya are the first fruity scents which stand out in a Sémillion. When produced with "noble rot”, it will have aromas of apricot, peach, honey, pineapple and caramel. There is something waxy in its palate, which could be described as lanolin.
The Sémillion grape presents different characteristics according to the climate of the region where it is produced. We can obtain a citric wine similar to a Sauvignon Blanc, or something as different as a rich, creamy and lemony like a Chardonnay, aged on oak.
In warm climates, it tastes of ripe fruit, such as mango, peach, apricot and papaya. Moderate oak aging adds buttery notes to its flavours. The alcoholic content of this wine is approximately 12-14%.
In a colder climate , Sémillion is a more floral wine. When the grapes are picked less ripe, the wine is more acidic, often similar to a Sauvignon Blanc. When not aged it in oak barrels, the aromas will have strong citric accents of lemon, lime and grapefruit. These wines have an alcoholic content of approximately 10-12%.
A Sémillion wine has a light and fresh taste, which pairs well with dishes more daring in flavours, like Indian spices ( although not too spicy), and Asian spices like cinnamon and aniseed. A white Bordeaux for example, goes extremely well with sushi due to the Sémillion, which balances the raw fish with pickles and ginger.