Sémillon in Australia

A comparison between Hunter Valley & Margaret River Sémillon

The white grape Sémillon…
- Golden grape variety
- Features as the main grape in the legendary sweet wines of Sauternes
- Rich, concentrated, lusciously sweet flavours
- Wax, honey, orange marmalade, burned toast
- Without oak, wines are light & zesty when young, but develop delicious toasted aroma with age

Hunter Valley Sémillon...

- Lower Hunter Climate ~ Warm & humid
- Style: Full-bodied, age-worthy
- Traditional Hunter Valley Sémillon does not appear to be much of a classic
- A young Sémillon looks watery in the glass, vaguely aromatic & lemony tang
- Striking acidity & dryness
- Unoaked & low-alcohol
- With age, a gorgeous golden toastiness, become rich & complex
- The high acidity of its youth keep the wine firm as it ages
- Can be kept for a decade or more, but is enjoyable after 5 yrs

Margaret River Sémillon...

- Climate ~ Maritime-influenced, with ocean winds moderating the warm climate. Overall, relatively cooler than Hunter Valley
- With a more temperate climate, Sémillon is often tropical with a herbal edge, rounder in flavour than the Hunter Valley version
- In cooler years, offer grassy herbal notes & an edgy acidity
- Capable of ageing
- Usually blend with Sauvignon Blanc ~ fruity with a generous palate
- Some producers have them barrel-fermented for more complexity