Semillon Wines

Semillon is a versatile white grape best known for two very different styles: the lush, honeyed sweet wines of Bordeaux, Sauternes being the most famous, and the bone-dry, age-worthy whites of Australia's Hunter Valley. Its secret weapon is its thin skin, which makes it especially prone to noble rot (botrytis); this concentrates the grapes into a kind of super-ripeness, with flavours of barley sugar and nectarine. In Bordeaux, Semillon is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to add body, texture and richness. In Australia it stands alone or partners Sauvignon or Chardonnay, starting lean and citrusy when young and developing toasty, honeyed complexity with age. Our range is rooted in Bordeaux and neighbouring Bergerac: dry whites from Bordeaux Blanc, Entre-Deux-Mers and Bergerac, where Semillon brings notes of lemon, green apple and lanolin with a waxy texture, and a sweet Cadillac from Haut Rian made from botrytised grapes. From Australia, Alkoomi's Wandoo Semillon comes from Frankland River in Western Australia, and a few Vins de France, including a skin-contact orange wine, show the grape in a different light. Dry Semillon is a fantastic match for shellfish, grilled fish and creamy sauces, while sweeter styles pair beautifully with blue cheese, foie gras and fruit-based desserts. Explore our range to discover this underrated grape's surprising versatility.