Semillion

Semillon is one of those solid grape varieties which,though is important, but never seems to attract the limelight, the way in which the likes of Chardonnay and Riesling do.The speciality of this wine is that it is extremely difficult to list the defining tastes and aromas that are characteristic of this wine. Its second-tier status is reinforced by its tendency to be blended unlike other wines which are marketed as a varietal. Semillon is a thin skinned white grape which ripens early. It is  is used mostly in Bordeaux, France. When drunk alone it has a grassy unusual flavor, which sometimes tends towards a more nutty and floral flavor depending on the climate of the region. Semillon is  blended with sauvignon blanc or chardonnay to add balance to their taste.

History
The history of the Sémillon grape is hard to determine. It first came to Australia in the early 1800's.By the 1820s the grape cultivation had spread in South Africa and covered  90 percent of the vineyards, where it was known as Wyndruif, which means "wine grape". Earlier it was considered to be the most planted grape in the world, although this is no longer the case. In the 1950s era, Chile's vineyards were  mostly made up of over  Sémillon which was 75% of the total. By the year 1997, plantings of the 'green grape' as it is known constituted just 1% of South African vines. In the present times France, Portugal, Israel, Australia, South Africa and South America grow Semillon in very large quantities.


Viticulture

Sémillon is relatively easy to cultivate, it consistently produces about six to eight tons of grapes per acre of land used for cultivation from its vigorous vines. It is resistant to diseases to some extent, except for rot. In the areas where sweet Semillons are highly prized, pickers go to the vineyard many times and pick only Botrytis infected bunches which will yield syrup like sweet wines. The grapes of semillon ripe early, and in the warmer climates they acquire a pink colour. The ripe Semillon berry has yellow colour and  picks up a pinkish hue in warmer areas. As the grape has a very thin skin, there is a risk of sunburn in hotter climates.

The grape is best suited to areas which have a moderate climate with sunny days and cool nights. The Sémillon grape is heavy and has a  low acidic content. It has an oily texture and has a high yield .Wines based on it age after a long time. Sémillon is one of the three officially approved white wines in the Bordeaux region. The grape is also important to the production of sweet wines like Sauternes.


Synonyms

• Greengrape
• Banc Doux
• Chevier
• Crucillant
• Hunter River Riesling

Food pairing
Like other wine species, the weather and growing conditions affect Semillon grapes. Semillon combines well with fish but there are many better matches. With Botrytis, they become exceedingly sweet. Some experts say that it is nutty while others may find it gives a burnt flavoring to the taste buds. From an aromatic viewpoint, Semillon ranges from indistinct to quite robust. Dry Semillon combines well with clams, mussels, or pasta salad.

These wines are surprisingly good and most people who indulge gladly admit they're a bargain for the special flavors and quality. Semillons should be consumed within five years of bottling until otherwise recommended. However their blends will last longer. Pasta with white sauce also makes a good food pairing.

Regions
France
Semillon's home is in the South West of France in  Bordeux where it is blended with Sauvignon blanc and Muscadelle and is marketed. When dry, it is referred as Bordeaux blanc. Sémillon is a minor constituent when it is blended with other wines. However, whenever it is used to make the sweet white wines like those made from Sauternes, Barsac and Cérons it is the dominant variety while blending. It is extremely susceptible to noble rot, a posh name for a type of fungal infection called Botrytis cinarea. If it attacks unriped grapes then it is a disaster. In these wines if the vine is exposed to the Botrytis cinerea ,it reduces the water content of the fruit, thus increasing the concentration of sugar present in the pulp. When it attacks the ripe grapes , the healthy white ones, it causes them to shrivel, and the mouldy looking berries produce small quantities of highlyly concentrated juice that is to make sublime sweet of great complexity and longevity.
Due to the declining image of this grape variety, fewer clones are cultivated in the nurseries of France causing wine producers to believe that there will be a shortage of quality winein the future. In 2008 many Bordeaux wine producers, including Château d'Yquem, Château Suduiraut and Château La Tour Blanche started their own association to grow their own clones of the Semillon grapes.


Australia
The Hunter Valley of Australia is Semillon's adopted home, and here it makes possibly the world's most interesting white wines. Picked up early at low potential alcohol in their youth , the Hunter Valley Semillons are  neutral and acidic in nature. After being kept several years in the bottle, they undergo a metamorphosis putting on weight and developing a delicious toasty and  honeyed character that could trick people into thinking that they've been barrel fermented. In other parts of  Australia, Semillon is undervalued and is mostly used as a blending partner for Chardonnay. The Semillon wine gives a crisp and  citrussy edge to an overly flabby plonk.
Semillon and Sauvignon blends are famous in Western Australia, where the two grapes blend and synergize to make some stunning wine combinations. The Adelaide Hills are becoming a flourishing region for Semillon with the cooler climate producing some wines of great taste and complexity. Vineyards like those as Amadio and Paracombe produce premium blends of the classical style.

Other Regions
Outside France and Australia, Sémillon is unpopular and is criticised for its lack of complexity,taste and intensity. Thus plantings for Semillon grapes have decreased in the last five decades. But some plantings can still be found out in South Africa and Chile. Chile has a lare area reserved for Semillon plantings.
Semillon is also grown in California but the grapes grown there are used mainly for blending purposes with other wines. The Semillon grapes are also planted in small regons of New Zealand and Argentina.