Semillon is a white wine grape variety that is primarily grown in France, where it is a key grape used in Bordeaux and Hunter Valley, Australia. The wine style can vary greatly depending on where it's grown, wines from Bordeaux are known for their minerality and crisp acidity, while in Australia, the wine style is often more full-bodied, oaky and rich. Semillon is also grown in California and Chile, where the wine style can vary depending on winemaking techniques.
The grape is known for its versatility and ability to produce a wide range of styles of wine. Semillon wines can be made in a dry style, they can be light-bodied with flavors of green apple, lemon, and minerals, or made into a rich, complex and buttery wine when aged in oak barrels. They can also be made into a sweet wine, such as Sauternes and Barsac in Bordeaux or late harvest wines in Hunter Valley. These sweet wines are known for their flavors of honey, apricot and peach.
Semillon grapes are also known for their aging potential, the wine can develop a richer, more complex flavor profile over time, and acquire more honeyed, nutty and toasty characters. They pair well with a wide range of foods, particularly seafood, poultry and mushroom-based dishes. It also goes well with spicy cuisine and creamy pasta dishes.
