Grape Semillon

The Semillon is a grape from France. It is relatively easy to grow and is quite resistant to disease. It ripens early, acquiring a pinkish hue in temperate climates. It is cultivated in France, Portugal, Israel and in several countries of the New World.

It is a variety that has many uses in the world of wine. It can be used to make sweet wines, fortified wines, dry white wines or brandy. In dry wines it is usually a minor component in a blended wine. But that is the virtue of the semillón: to give great results in coupages together with other varieties, especially with the sauvignon blanc.

Since it has a thin skin, there is a risk of sunburn in warmer climates, which is why it is hardly planted in Spain. In fact, in our country, in 2016 there were 2 residual hectares of this variety, most of it (1.6) in the Valencian Community and the rest in Castilla-La Mancha (0.4).

In France, the semillon grows mainly in Bordeaux, where it is mixed with sauvignon blanc and muscat. In dry wines, it is called Bordeaux blanc and is allowed in the AOCs of Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Entre-Deux-Mers and others with less renown. It is also planted in the Bregerac area, in the Dordogne.

In fact, this variety is more suitable for areas with sunny days and cool nights, as is the case in the Bordeaux region. In the New World areas it has a special status in South Africa, but it is also possible to find it in Australia. In Europe, it is also grown in Portugal.

The semillón has the virtue, along with the Riesling, of rotting "nobly", that is, in a way that is sought to produce a characteristic effect and flavor on the wines.

Thus, when conditions of temperature and humidity occur, a fungus (Botrytis cinerea) softens the skin of the grape and allows it to dehydrate. Thus, it takes on the appearance of a raisin with a high content of sugar and acidity, which makes it possible to make a sweet and creamy wine.

The fermentation of the must takes place slowly and the result is a wine with a perfect balance. That resulting wine ranges from acidic, sugary, and alcoholic. Semillón wines have an intense floral aroma and honey flavor, largely due to the aforementioned fungus.