02/08/05 Semillon

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and on today's program we are going to explore the grape Semillon and the wines that are made from it. Semillon spelled S-E-M-I-L-LO-N is a white grape variety grown in most all wine regions of the world. Its thin skin makes it prone to the noble rot botrytis, so consequently it is the famous white grape making many of the world's greatest sweet wines. It is traditionally blended with about 25% sauvignon blanc to make the sauternes of France which are said to be some of the longest aging white wines in the world. As a dry wine it lends itself well to blending with Sauvignon Blanc. It responds well to oak aging making some of the most distinctive dry white wines of Bordeaux, Australia and New Zealand. Although it may lack really assertive aroma of its own, it more than makes up for the lack of body in Sauvignon Blanc. In many parts of the new wine world it is also blended with Chardonnay creating the category blend of Sem Chard. In Australia this blending of Semillon and Chardonnay was originally done to spread out the Chardonnay while they were awaiting the harvest of new plantings. Washington state is also clearly showing the potential of Semillon from their region. Ask for recommendations from your local wine merchant and try a few Semillon wines with a cheese soufflé or milder flavored oysters on the half shell. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you joining me on today's Vine to Wine.