Sémillon

Question 1

Vineyard area planted with Sémillon in Bordeaux

Answer 1

about 5.000ha
(4,6% of total 108,000 hectares planted)

Question 2

Semillon ripening

Answer 2

This is a mid-ripening variety,

Question 3

Semillon diseases and viticulture

Answer 3

susceptible to botrytis bunch rot and to noble rot in the right conditions. It is more susceptible to botrytis than Sauvignon Blanc.

It can carry high yields.

Question 4

Sémillon wines characteristics

Answer 4

Sémillon has
- low intensity apple, lemon and,
- if under ripe, grassy flavours,

• a medium body,
• medium alcohol and
• medium to medium (+) acidity.

Question 5

In high quality dry white Bordeaux blends, Sémillon contributes

Answer 5

• low to medium intensity aromas,
• weight and body,
• and medium acidity.

As such, it softens Sauvignon Blanc’s more intense flavours and high acidity.
It has a strong affinity with vanilla and sweet spice flavours from new French oak.

Sémillon is also prized for its ageability, developing toast and honeyed notes with age, in contrast to Sauvignon Blanc that can hold
but whose flavours do not evolve.

Question 6

In botrytis-affected sweet Bordeaux wines Sémillon contributes

Answer 6

• pronounced honey and dried
  fruit (lemon, peach) character and
• a waxy texture.

As it is more susceptible to botrytis than Sauvignon Blanc, top Sauternes wines tend to have a high proportion of Sémillon in the blend, for example as in Ch. Climens or Ch. d’Yquem.

Sémillon is also prized for its ageability, developing toast and honeyed notes with age, in contrast to Sauvignon Blanc that can hold
but whose flavours do not evolve.