Semillon

Question 1

Where does the Semillon grape grow?

Answer 1

Moderate and warm climates.

Question 2

What primary flavors does Semillon carry in its youth?

Answer 2

Lemon, Grass, and Apple.

Question 3

What is the acidity (range) of Semillon?

Answer 3

Medium-high acidity.

Question 4

What body do Semillon wines have?

Answer 4

Can range from light body to full body.

Question 5

Some examples can age really well. In the bottle, what are some flavors that can develop?

Answer 5

Dried fruits, nuts, and honey.

Question 6

Some examples can age really well. In the bottle, what are some flavors that can develop?

Answer 6

Dried fruits, nuts, and honey.

Question 7

What affects Semillon acidity?

Answer 7

Ripeness.

Question 8

Can Semillon age well?

Answer 8

Yes, some examples can age very well.

Question 9

What countries are the main growers of Semillon?

Answer 9

France and Australia.

Question 10

What is the most important region in France for Semillon?

Answer 10

Bordeaux.

Question 11

What styles of Semillon wines are produced in Bordeaux?

Answer 11

Dry and sweet.

Question 12

For ‘Bordeaux AOC’ what grape is Bordeaux usually blended with?

Answer 12

Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 13

What style of wine is produced (with Semillon) in ‘Sauternes AOC’?

Answer 13

Sweet wine.

Question 14

What is special about the grapes used in ‘Sauternes AOC’ sweet wines?

Answer 14

They have been concentrated by botrytis/noble rot.

Question 15

Where is ‘Sauternes AOC’?

Answer 15

Bordeaux.

Question 16

Is Semillon susceptible to noble rot?

Answer 16

Yes - that’s why it’s the most important grape variety grown in Sauternes.

Question 17

Describe the structure of a typical Sauternes sweet wine.

Answer 17

It is:
- sweet.
- medium to high in alcohol.
- full-body.
- high acidity.

Question 18

What flavors are typical in a Sauternes sweet wine?

Answer 18

Pronounced: stone fruit (apricot), oak (smoke, vanilla).

Question 19

What is the highest quality of Sauternes AOC sweet wine you can find?

Answer 19

Very good or outstanding, developing tertiary flavors after years in bottle (dried fruit, honey, caramek).

Question 20

In Australia, which grape variety is commonly blended with Semillon?

Answer 20

Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 21

What styles of wine are produced with Semillon in Australia?

Answer 21

Botrysed sweet wines, and dry wines (of various styles).

Question 22

In the Hunter Valley region in Australia, what style of wine is produced?

Answer 22

Dry, single-varietal wine. Semillon with a light body and high acidity is used.

Question 22

In the Hunter Valley region in Australia, what style of wine is produced?

Answer 22

Dry, single-varietal wine. Semillon with a light body and high acidity is used.

(These grapes have been harvested while low in sugar and acidic.)

Question 23

What is the climate of Hunter Valley, Australia?

Answer 23

Warm.

Question 24

How is Hunter Valley Semillon wine made?

Answer 24

They are made in inert vessels and bottles young.

Their initially neutral flavors develop nicely over several years and eventually become pronounced: complex honey and nuts.

Question 25

Other than Hunter Valley, what is another important Australian region for Semillon?

Answer 25

Barossa Valley.

(A variety of styles produced here, oaked and unoaked, etc.)