Sémillon, Chenin Blanc, and Furmint Characteristics Flashcards
Sémillon Grape Skin
Thick-skinned
Sémillon Budding & Ripening
Early budding, early ripening
Sémillon Tannins
Low
Sémillon Acidity
Medium (can decline with age)
Sémillon Sweetness
Dry to sweet (noble rot)
Sémillon Alcohol %
11-14.5%
Sémillon Color
Pale lemon to gold (deepens with age)
Sémillon Sugar Level
Variable
Sémillon Primary Flavors
Lemon, grapefruit, green apple (young), honey, marmalade, lanolin (aged)
Sémillon Other Flavors
Waxy, nutty, toasty (with oak aging)
Sémillon Major Regions
Bordeaux (France), Hunter Valley (Australia), South Africa
Sémillon Bordeaux Style
Often blended with Sauvignon Blanc (dry whites)
Sémillon Hunter Valley Style
Typically unoaked, develops complex flavors with age
Sémillon South Africa Style
Dry and oaked, or used in sweet wines
Sémillon Challenges
Susceptible to oxidation, can lack complexity when young
Sémillon Food Pairings
Seafood, salads, rich poultry dishes, creamy cheeses (depending on style)
Chenin Blanc Grape Skin
Thick-skinned
Chenin Blanc Budding & Ripening
Early budding, late ripening
Chenin Blanc Tannins
Low
Chenin Blanc Acidity
High
Chenin Blanc Sweetness
Dry to very sweet (noble rot)
Chenin Blanc Alcohol %
10-14.5% (can be higher in sweet wines)
Chenin Blanc Color
Pale lemon to gold (deepens with age)
Chenin Blanc Sugar Level
Variable
Chenin Blanc Primary Flavors
Apple, quince, pear, chamomile, marzipan
Chenin Blanc Other Flavors
Honey, ginger, lanolin (with age)
Chenin Blanc Major Regions
Loire Valley (France), South Africa
Chenin Blanc Loire Valley Style
Dry (Vouvray), sparkling (Crémant de Loire), sweet (Coteaux du Layon)
Chenin Blanc South Africa Style
Wide range of styles, including dry, sparkling, and sweet
Chenin Blanc Challenges
Can be neutral in flavor if not handled well, susceptible to oxidation
Chenin Blanc Food Pairings
Shellfish, salads, chicken, fruit tarts (depending on style)
Furmint Grape Skin
Thick-skinned
Furmint Budding & Ripening
Early budding, late ripening
Furmint Tannins
Medium
Furmint Acidity
High
Furmint Sweetness
Dry to very sweet (noble rot)
Furmint Alcohol %
10-14% (can be higher in sweet styles)
Furmint Color
Pale lemon to gold (deepens with age)
Furmint Sugar Level
Variable
Furmint Primary Flavors
Apple, pear, quince, lime, ginger
Furmint Other Flavors
Honey, beeswax, smoke (in Tokaji)
Furmint Major Regions
Tokaj (Hungary), Slovenia, Austria
Furmint Tokaji Style
Used to make Tokaji sweet wines (Aszú, Eszencia)
Furmint Dry Style
Increasingly popular as a dry white wine
Furmint Challenges
Susceptible to powdery mildew, can be difficult to grow
Furmint Food Pairings
Foie gras, spicy Asian cuisine, fruit desserts (depending on style)