Semillon is a white grape variety grown extensively in the Graves and Sauterne regions of Bordeaux in France. It has now spread extensively around the world including Australia.

Two thirds of Australia’s Semillon is in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation District and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. South Australia’s Barossa Valley also has some significant quantities of Semillon, but it is overshadowed by plantings of Rhone Riesling grown there.

The vine will produce a prodigious number of grapes unless curbed by either ultra vigorous pruning or stress. Control over the quality of wine produced is therefore as much in the hands of the vineyard manager as it is in the hands of the winemaker!

In my own vineyard at Bacchus Hill Winery, the vines are very aggressively pruned back to two buds in winter and thinned as required in late spring/early summer. The grape has poor resistance to wet weather but with the low average rainfall in Bacchus Marsh, we do not have any problem. The grape is harvested by late March.

This grape is less appreciated than it deserves to be. Somehow it has remained a well kept secret that only a few wine drinkers have discovered. Perhaps this is because it is often blended with other varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, which seem to take all the credit. On its own it makes richly textured wines with wonderful flavours of caramelized pineapple and tropical fruits.

In the Hunter Valley for instance, they produce long-lived Semillon which may appear unsophisticated when young, but which develops a complex palate of deep rich caramelized pineapple, and toasted nut flavours as it ages.

In South Australia and other Cool Climate regions, the wine has a soft character, fair acidity (which ensures its longevity) and a distinctive herbaceous aroma and flavour.

The Descriptors for our Bacchus Hill Winery, 2006 Semillon Demi-Sec include, aromas of loquat blossoms, unripe peaches and citrus peel, a smidgin of sweetness, citrus zest and quince flavours that dance on the tongue.

A subtle young wine which promises to grow in stature and character with bottle ageing.

You can go for two effects when you choose a wine for your meal; you can either compliment the texture and flavour of the dish or you look for a contrast.

Seafood such as oysters, prawns scallops, mussel and octopus, all have clean sea-fresh flavours that go well with clean tangy wines.

Cooler climate Semillon such as our Bacchus Hill Semillon, would be a good match.

Full-flavoured chicken and pork dishes and South East Asian/Pacific Rim cuisine, would seek out an older Semillon with deep rich caramelized pineapple, honey and toasted nut flavours.